The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Multinational District Electoral Officers (DEOs), part of the United Nations Mission East Timor (UNAMET), registering an East Timorese woman to vote in the upcoming referendum. Officials identified, left to right: Jose Ernesto Jesus Maia, United nations translator (killed later in 1999); James P Brew, Australian DEO and team Leader; and Bishnu of Nepal. 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.
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
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
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
Informal portrait of Australian Federal Police Officer Sergeant Phil Hunter (right), a member of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), with United Nations (UN) personnel, including Jose E
Informal group portrait of an unidentified Australian District Electoral Officer (DEO) and locally employed East Timorese staff, outside the Lauana School, a registration and voting centre. The DEO is
Australian Federal Police Officer Sergeant Phil Hunter (second from right), a member of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), meeting with United Nations (UN) personnel, including UN tran
