UNTAET faces many challenges. There will undoubtedly be skirmishes with militia groups, humanitarian crises and problems with resurrecting a country that, even prior to the rioting, lacked basic infrastructure and development. Their initial mandate calls for a 14-month commitment. Most think it will be longer.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan reported that the transition to independence could take two to three years. UNTAET will have the task of administering virtually all public services in the devastated territory, including the justice system.

As the Australian-led coalition prepares to turn over operational control to UNTAET, they have reason to be proud. First and foremost, they stopped the violence and human suffering that wracked East Timor. They oversaw the return to normalcy for the innocent people of East Timor. But even more important, they ensured the sanctity of the democratic process, upholding the results of a democratic vote.

The successful completion of OPERATION STABILISE led to the transfer from INTERFET to UNTAET. L to R: Xanana Gusamo, East Timor independence leader; Philippine Lt. Gen. Jaime de Los Santos, incoming Commander of UNTAET; Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN Transitional Administrator, Australian Maj. Gen. Peter Cosgrove. outgoing Commander of INTERFET, and Bishop Carlos Belo, Roman Catholic Primate of East Timor. Photo by Cpl. Patrina Malone, Australian Army

The success of the Australian-led INTERFET also demonstrated the planning and operational capabilities of the Australian Defence Force and the coalition capabilities of the participating Asia-Pacific armed forces.

Australia’s role as the lead for this international force represented a significant change in what had become the expected procedure for conducting military and humanitarian operations. The world community has grown used to seeing U.S.-led coalitions, with other nations providing support. OPERATION STABILISE was different, with the U.S. operating in a supporting role. A security community successfully gathered and organized itself to tackle a significant security crisis within its own region.

OPERATION STABILISE demonstrated that other leading nations of the region could undertake a regional operation and successfully lead a coalition force in major operations. Clearly, the Australian Defence Force, and the Asia-Pacific forces that met the challenge in this particular crisis, proved this in East Timor.