International Force East Timor

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International Force for East Timor
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International Force East Timor
Dates of operationSeptember 20, 1999 (1999-09-20)–February 20, 2000 (2000-02-20)
CountrySee list
Allegiance Australia
StatusHanded over command of military operations to UNTAET
Size11,500 personnel (at the peak of deployment)
Battles and wars1999 East Timorese crisis
Succeeded by
UNTAET

The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) was a multinational non-

Major General Peter Cosgrove
.

Background

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and annexed the former Portuguese colony. The annexation was recognised by few nations (including Australia and the United States) and was resisted by many East Timorese. Cold War security concerns were emphasised,[2] while foreign powers also placed high importance on good relations with Indonesia and were largely reluctant to assist a push for independence as a result. However, following the fall of long-serving Indonesian President Suharto, the new president, B. J. Habibie, was prepared to grant East Timor special autonomy.[3]

In late 1998, the Australian prime minister,

colonial power", and he decided in response to announce a snap referendum to be conducted within six months.[3]

News of the proposal provoked a violent reaction from pro-Indonesian militia in East Timor. The Indonesian army did not intervene to restore order. At a summit in Bali, Howard told Habibie that a United Nations peacekeeping force should oversee the process. Habibie rejected the proposal, believing it would have insulted the Indonesian military.[3]

East Timor Special Autonomy Referendum

The United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) was established to organise and conduct a referendum on the question of independence. It was composed of police and observers rather than military personnel. The UN-sponsored referendum held on 30 August 1999 showed overwhelming approval for East Timorese independence from Indonesia. After the result was announced on 4 September, violent clashes, instigated by a suspected anti-independence militia, sparked a humanitarian and security crisis in the region, with Xanana Gusmão calling for a UN peacekeeping force the same day.[5] Many East Timorese were killed, with as many as 500,000 displaced and around half fleeing the territory.[1]

On 6 September, Operation Spitfire commenced with

C-130 Hercules aircraft evacuating UNAMET staff, foreign nationals and refugees, including Bishop Belo, to Darwin from Dili and Baucau airfields with protection provided by unarmed Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) soldiers.[6]

United Nations resolution

The violence was met with widespread public anger in Australia, Portugal and elsewhere, and activists in Portugal, Australia, the United States and other nations pressured their governments to take action. Australia's Opposition Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Laurie Brereton, was vocal in highlighting evidence of the Indonesian military's involvement in pro-integrationist violence and advocated United Nations peacekeeping to support the East Timor's ballot.[7] The Catholic Church in Australia urged the Australian Government to send an armed peacekeeping force to East Timor to end the violence.[8] Protests occurred outside the Indonesia Consulate in Darwin and the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra.[9][10]

The

U.S. President Bill Clinton for an Australian-led international peacekeeping force to enter East Timor to end the violence. On 12 September, Clinton announced:[11]

[T]he Indonesian military has aided and abetted militia violence in East Timor, in violation of the commitment of its leaders to the international community. This has allowed the militias to murder innocent people, to send thousands fleeing for their lives, to attack the United Nations compound. The United States has suspended all military cooperation, assistance, and sales to Indonesia ... The Indonesian Government and military must not only stop what they are doing but reverse course. They must halt the violence not just in Dili but throughout the nation. They must permit humanitarian assistance and let the U.N. mission do its job ... We are ready to support an effort led by Australia to mobilize a multinational force to help to bring security to East Timor under U.N. auspice ... the eyes of the world are on that tiny place and on those poor innocent, suffering people.

Return of Xanana Gusmão from Indonesian prison (1999)

Indonesia, in

B.J. Habibie announced on 12 September that he would do so.[12] He told a press conference:[3]

A couple of minutes ago I called the United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, to inform about our readiness to accept international peacekeeping forces through the United Nations, from friendly nations, to restore peace and security in East Timor.

On 15 September 1999, the United Nations Security Council expressed concern at the deteriorating situation in East Timor and issued its Resolution 1264 calling for a multinational force to restore peace and security to East Timor, to protect and support the United Nations mission there, and to facilitate humanitarian assistance operations until such time as a United Nations peacekeeping force could be approved and deployed in the area.[13] The resolution also welcomed Australia's letter to accept the leadership of a proposed multinational force in East Timor and to make a substantial contribution to the force itself.[14]

Military operations

The lead-up to the operation remained politically and militarily tense. The

A-4K Skyhawks to RAAF Base Tindal to support RAAF F-111s. In addition, a number of British, United States, Canadian, French and Thai aircraft were also deployed.[17][18] On at least one occasion Australian P-3C aircraft were intercepted by Indonesian aircraft,[19] while an Indonesian submarine was also detected by Coalition surveillance within the vicinity of Dili Harbour as INTERFET forces approached. Ultimately no serious incidents occurred and the intervention was successful; however, Australia–Indonesia relations would take several years to recover.[3]

HMAS Jervis Bay in Dili in October 1999

Of the 22 nations involved in INTERFET, 10 provided naval assets. Australia was the single largest provider, with 14 ships deployed with INTERFET between 19 September 1999 and 23 February 2000: the frigates

San Giusto, the Portuguese frigate Vasco da Gama, the Thai landing ship Surin, and the British destroyer Glasgow.[20]

The International Forces East Timor (INTERFET) coalition began deploying to East Timor on 20 September 1999, as a non-UN force operating in accordance with UN Resolutions. Led by Australia, who contributed 5,500 personnel and the force commander, Major General

Black Hawk helicopters from the 5th Aviation Regiment were also deployed. Other force level troops included military police, an intelligence company, an electronic warfare squadron, elements of an artillery locating battery, and topographic survey personnel.[21]

Special forces played a key role, with an Australian squadron from the

M-113 armoured personnel carriers from B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment. RESPFOR began vehicle patrols into Dili, including reconnaissance of Dili port, after which a rifle company from 2 RAR—borrowing Indonesian military trucks for transport—secured the port prior to the arrival of follow-on forces the next day, while the remainder of the battalion consolidated the position at Komoro. Meanwhile, an advance party of Gurkhas from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR) and British Royal Marines Commandos from the Fleet Standby Rifle Troop (FSRT) secured the foothills and areas to the south of the city. 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) began landing the next day at the port, along with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment equipped with ASLAV light armoured vehicles and the remainder of the Company Group from 2 RGR arrived. No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) arrived the following day to permanently secure Komoro airport replacing 2 RAR. Additional Australian forces and support personnel arrived in the days that followed as INTERFET continued to grow, as did forces from a number of other countries, in particular from New Zealand.[24]

USAF C-130 taking off from Darwin for a mission to East Timor

Most United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) personnel had already been evacuated from the region in the preceding months by the Royal Australian Air Force, although a small number had remained behind.[25] With the withdrawal of the Indonesian forces and officials, UNAMET re-established its headquarters in Dili on 28 September and on 19 October 1999, Indonesia formally recognised the result of the independence referendum. Soon after, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was established as a peacekeeping operation which was also fully responsible for the administration of East Timor to oversee its transition to independence.[1] With only limited forces available, Cosgrove adopted the 'oil spot' concept of dominating key areas from which the surrounding areas could be influenced and then secured, moving quickly by helicopter to keep the militia off balance. The large airfield at Baucau was secured by two platoons from 2 RAR on 22 September, who were relieved by the Philippine Army non-combat contingent known as the Philippine Humanitarian Support Mission to East Timor (PhilHSMET) three days later.[26]

On 26 September D Company, 2 RAR conducted an air-mobile insertion into

Liquica, approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) returning to Dili about 30 hours later.[27][26] On 29 September, the first New Zealand infantry arrived in Dili with V Company from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR) together with four M-113 APCs from the Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles. With Dili secured INTERFET began moving into the western regencies.[24] On 1 October 2 RAR flew in to simultaneously secure Balibo and Batugade, near the western border. Mounted in APCs, elements of the battalion then secured Maliana, before clearing the remainder of the Bobonaro Regency.[28]

Irish Army Ranger Wing (ARW) on patrol in East Timor

On 6 October, an armoured column of Gurkhas and RESPFOR entered Suai together with RESPFOR in Black Hawks, capturing 116 militia; however, a number of SASR personnel were later ambushed, resulting in two Australians wounded. In the counter-attack two militia were killed, while two escaped but were later found to have died of wounds.[26][29][30] Meanwhile, a third Australian battalion—the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5/7 RAR)—had arrived in Dili relieving 3 RAR. On 10 October, 3 RAR was inserted into Bobonaro and Maliana by helicopter and V Company, 1 RNZIR was inserted in Suai also by Black Hawks relieving the Gurkhas/RESPFOR. The same day a platoon from 2 RAR was fired on by Indonesian police near Mota'ain on the border, and in the ensuing clash one Indonesian was killed.[26]

On 13 October, a major amphibious operation was launched at Suai with the bulk of Headquarters 3rd Brigade (renamed Headquarters West Force) logistic and support units landed.[31] West Force (WESTFOR) consisting of 2RAR, 3RAR, and 1RNZIR, in addition to supporting aviation, engineer and armoured units, was tasked with securing the border region.[32] By 22 October, the 1 RNZIR Battalion Group was fully deployed which included a Canadian infantry company from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22 Regiment and a platoon of Irish special forces from the Army Ranger Wing supported by No. 3 Squadron RNZAF Iroquois helicopters.[33] From mid-October contingents from a number of other countries began to arrive, including battalions from Thailand and South Korea, which were deployed in the eastern part of the country.[33]

The arrival of thousands of international troops in East Timor caused the militia to flee across the border into Indonesia. A

Indonesian military personnel in the attempt to cut off and destroy the Australians, whilst conjecture as to the identity of the pro-Indonesian militias and the source of their arms and training increased in the media.[35][Note 1]

New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS) escorting a port survey team in East Timor

On 21 October 1999, INTERFET launched a combined amphibious and airmobile operation into the

HMAS Waller, conducting a covert beach reconnaissance ahead of the amphibious landing. The following day mechanised infantry from the 5/7 RAR conducted a beach landing at first light.[40] RESPFOR subsequently secured Ambeno. Reinforced by Gurkhas from 2 RGR, the force then swept through the area, capturing a number of militia while the remainder were believed to have fled to West Timor.[41] In mid-November, 3 RAR took over responsibility for the Oecussi Enclave.[42]

On 28 February 2000, INTERFET handed over command of military operations to

claymore mines had been withdrawn from New Zealand's forces after the UN took over, a change which was rescinded after Manning's death.[45] Two Australian soldiers also died in East Timor in 2000—Lance Corporal Russell Eisenhuth through illness on 17 January and Corporal Stuart Jones after a weapon accidentally discharged on 10 August 2000.[46]

Countries contributing to INTERFET

Commander INTERFET, Major General Cosgrove, joins hands with the new East Timor leadership during a celebration to mark the official handover to UNTAET.

United States of America.[51] Australia was refused US ground troops but was able to secure vital support for airlift, logistics, specialised intelligence, over the horizon deterrence, and "diplomatic muscle".[3][50] Participants were awarded the International Force East Timor Medal by the Australian Government.[52]

As lead nation Australia provided logistic support for a number of other nations in addition to its own requirements.[53] A Force Logistic Support Group was deployed during October and November based on the 10th Force Support Battalion (10 FSB), which included supply, transport, port operators, water transport and maintenance personnel, while a forward surgical team, preventative medical section, signals squadron, and engineers from the 17th Construction Squadron and a section of the 19th Chief Engineer Works were also attached. Meanwhile, the 9th Force Support Battalion was deployed to Darwin to provide additional support, and later rotated with 10 FSB in East Timor.[54]

Despite the proximity of considerable civilian and military infrastructure in Darwin, the provision of this support proved a major challenge for Australia, which had not been required to provide full logistic support for a deployed force since the Second World War. Reductions in defence spending over the previous decade had led to the run down of its logistic support force, resulting in the requirement to quickly implement a range of ad hoc measures to overcome these shortfalls.[55] Despite relatively short lines of communication, low expenditure of ammunition, fuel and other consumables, and limited personnel and equipment casualties, the operation strained the ADF's limited logistic capability and it was questionable whether it could have sustained a more high intensity deployment.[56]

See also

Notes

Footnotes

  1. ^ Sporadic cross-border raids by the militia in 2000 following the hand-over to UNTAET led to further suspicion that the militia had the tacit support of elements of the Indonesian military, or that at the least their actions were being tolerated by them.[36] Heightened activity occurred between July and September 2000, particularly in the southern border held by the New Zealand Army, which resulted in the death of one New Zealand soldier and one from Nepal, as well as the wounding of three others. Several militia were later killed in action in a series of ambushes initiated by the New Zealanders.[37][38]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d "Australians and Peacekeeping". War History. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  2. ^ Gunderson 2015, p. 15.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "The Howard Years: Episode 2: "Whatever It Takes"". Program Transcript. Australian Broadcasting Commission. 24 November 2008. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  4. ^ Connery 2010, pp. 147–148.
  5. ^ "Timor chooses independence". BBC News. 4 September 1999.
  6. ^ Horner 2002, pp. 483–489.
  7. ^ Kirk, Alexandra (15 September 1999). "ALP wants commission to gather evidence of war crimes". Transcript - AM Archive. Australian Broadcasting Commission. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  8. ^ Nelson, Jane (6 September 1999). "Australia churches, unions rally against Indonesia". Reuters. Archived from the original on 16 July 2013.
  9. ^ McIntyre 2013, p. 177.
  10. ^ Pietsch 2010, p. 17.
  11. ^ Clinton, William. "Remarks to American and Asian Business Leaders in Auckland". The American Presidency Project. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  12. ^ "Habibie accepts Timor peacekeepers". BBC News. 12 September 1999.
  13. ^ "UN approves Timor force". BBC News. 15 September 1999.
  14. ^ "Security Council authorises multinational force in East Timor". United Nations. 15 September 1999.
  15. ^ Wilson 2003, p. 32.
  16. ^ Wilson 2003, p. 34.
  17. ^ Wilson 2003, pp. 13–15.
  18. ^ "RAAF units in East Timor". East Timor, 1999–2000 units. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  19. ^ Wilson 2003, pp. 32–33.
  20. ^ Stevens 2007, pp. 14–15.
  21. ^ a b c d e Horner 2001, p. 22.
  22. ^ Horner 2001, p. 24.
  23. ^ Horner 2001, p. 20.
  24. ^ a b Farrell 2000, pp. 4–21.
  25. ^ Londey 2004, pp. 240–241.
  26. ^ a b c d Horner 2001, p. 28.
  27. ^ Farrell 2000, pp. 21–22.
  28. ^ Farrell 2000, pp. 43–46.
  29. ^ Breen 2000, p. 70.
  30. ^ Londey 2004, p. 250.
  31. ^ a b Horner 2001, p. 29.
  32. ^ Farrell 2000, p. 55.
  33. ^ a b Farrell 2000, p. 57.
  34. ^ Coulthard-Clark 2001, p. 296.
  35. ^ Farrell 2000, pp. 56–57.
  36. ^ Tanter, Selden & Shalom 2001, pp. 249–250.
  37. ^ Londey 2004, p. 259.
  38. ^ Crawford & Harper 2001, pp. 136–139.
  39. ^ Farrell 2000, pp. 65.
  40. ^ Farrell 2000, p. 66.
  41. ^ Farrell 2000, pp. 65–67.
  42. ^ Dennis et al 2008, p. 192.
  43. ^ "New Zealand soldier is shot dead in East Timor". The Independent. London. 25 July 2000. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  44. ^ "The World Today Archive - The UN's first combat casualty in East Timor". abc.net.au. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  45. ^ Smith 2005, p. 13.
  46. ^ Londey 2004, pp. 256 & 259.
  47. ^ Horner 2001, p. 9.
  48. ^ McGibbon 2000, p. 419.
  49. ^ Crawford & Harper 2001, p. 6.
  50. ^ a b Londey 2004, p. 244.
  51. ^ Ryan 2000, pp. 127–129.
  52. Government of Australia. 29 September 2008. Archived from the original
    on 5 March 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  53. ^ Horner 2001, p. 32.
  54. ^ Horner 2001, p. 23.
  55. ^ Horner 2001, pp. 32–33.
  56. ^ Horner 2001, p. 38.

References

Further reading

External links