East Timor’s Road to Independence

A UN-sponsored multinational peacekeeping force, composed primarily of Asia-Pacific Armed Forces, provided the stability needed in East Timor for the United Nations to prepare the territory for independence. Led in succession by four regional military leaders, this force continues to demonstrate how working together and drawing on strengths can make a difference. The successful efforts of this multinational force made it possible for the UN Transitional Administration East Timor (UNTAET) to address East Timor’s humanitarian needs; assist in the creation of a transitional government; ensure free, fair, and peaceful presidential elections in April 2002; assist in normalizing relations with Indonesia; establish the East Timor Defense Force, the East Timor Police Service, a civil service, and a judicial system; repair infrastructure; and much more.

UNTAET’s successor, UN Mission East Timor (UNMISET), which took over in May 2002, will assist East Timor over the next two years.

INTERFET

In response to the outbreak of violence, looting and arson following the August 1999 referendum, the UN established the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) in September 1999. In just five months, this multinational peacekeeping force, led by Australian Maj. Gen. Peter Cosgrove, restored peace and security to the territory. Speaking at Maj. Gen. Cosgrove’s departure from East Timor in February 2000, UNTAET Administrator de Mello noted that much of the credit for restoring order must go to the Australian Government, the member countries of INTERFET, and Maj. Gen. Cosgrove.

UNTAET-Peacekeeping Force

The UNTAET-Peacekeeping Force (PKF) completed its transition from INTERFET in February 2000, and Philippine Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Jaime de Los Santos replaced Maj. Gen. Cosgrove as UNTAET-PKF Commander. Of the 22 nations that initially comprised the PKF, half were Asian-Pacific countries. These included Australia, Bangladesh, Fiji, Japan, Republic of Korea Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Citing UNTAET-PKF successes, Royal Thai Army Lt. Gen Boonsrang Niumpradit, who assumed the leadership of UNTAET-PKF in July 2000, said, "Through the efforts of my predecessor, Lt. Gen. de Los Santos, I have inherited both a tightly knitted force and a relatively tranquil environment."

In his remarks at the opening of Exercise COBRA GOLD 2000, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Richard E. Hecklinger summed up the importance of regional military cooperation demonstrated in INTERFET and UNTAET-PKF: