The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Civilian members of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) filling their plates with food at a banquet following a pre poll meeting in the village of Atsabe. In the centre, wearing a blue baseball cap is James P Brew, Australian District Electoral Officer and Team Leader. On the right is an Indonesian Police Officer, one of many who accompanied the UNAMET staff on the village visits. UNAMET was sent to East Timor on 11 June 1999, to organise, conduct and supervise the referendum, held on 30 August 1999, to allow the East Timorese to choose between autonomy within Indonesia or independence. Following the overwhelming vote for independence, the pro-Indonesian militia launched a campaign of destruction, arson and murder, killing approximately 1500 people and forcing 300,000 others into West Timor as refugees. Due to this the mandate of UNAMET was extended from 31 August 1999 to 30 September 1999, although most members were evacuated by 20 September when the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) was sent in.
Indonesian Police Officers eating at a banquet following a pre poll meeting in the village of Atsabe. The Indonesian Police accompanied the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) staff on the v
James P Brew Australian District Electoral Officer (DEO) and Team Leader (right, wearing a blue cap), overseeing a pre poll meeting in the village of Atsabe. On the left is Jose Ernesto Jesus Maia, Un
East Timorese gathered around village leaders for a pre poll meeting in the village of Catrai Craic in the Atsabe district. This meeting was made possible by the presence of the United Nations Mission
Jose Ernesto Jesus Maia, United Nations (UN) translator (killed later in 1999) addressing East Timorese locals at a pre poll meeting in the village of Atsabe, set up to let them know when and how voti
James P Brew, Australian District Electoral Officer (DEO) and Team Leader (left), with Jose Ernesto Jesus Maia, United Nations (UN) translator (killed later in 1999), both members of the United Nation
East Timorese gathered for a pre poll meeting in the village of Catrai Craic, in the district of Atsabe. Addressing the crowd are James P Brew, Australian District Electoral Officer and Team Leader (w
