Conflict episode

Post-ballot violence and the multinational force in East Timor, 1999

Militia violence followed the result; Indonesia accepted international assistance and an Australian-led multinational force was authorised.

What happened

After the result was announced, pro-integration militias, at times supported by elements of the Indonesian security forces, carried out killings, looting and arson; the UN reports that as many as 500,000 people were displaced.[1] Indonesia accepted international assistance on 12 September, and on 15 September the Security Council authorised a multinational force led by Australia.[2] Indonesian forces and officials then left the territory.[3]

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

  1. 1.

    Claim: After the result was announced, pro-integration militias, at times supported by elements of the Indonesian security forces, carried out a campaign of violence, looting and arson; the UN reports that many East Timorese were killed and as many as 500,000 displaced, about half of them leaving the territory. Attributed to United Nations Department of Public Information (2002)

    • United Nations Department of Public Information, East Timor – UNTAET: Background (United Nations, May 2002) link, para. 5. Source record
  2. 2.

    Claim: After Indonesia accepted international assistance on 12 September 1999, the Security Council on 15 September authorised a multinational force under a unified command, led by Australia, to restore peace and security and protect UNAMET.

    • United Nations Security Council, Security Council resolution 1264 (1999) (United Nations, 15 September 1999) link, para. 3. Source record
    • United Nations Department of Public Information, East Timor – UNTAET: Background (United Nations, May 2002) link, para. 6. Source record
  3. 3.

    Claim: Indonesia’s armed forces, police and administrative officials then left the territory completely.

    • United Nations Department of Public Information, East Timor – UNTAET: Background (United Nations, May 2002) link, para. 8. Source record

Source note

Show in the notes list