A toast to Interfet

By Capt Gabrielle Parker

MORE than five years after the Interfet operation in East Timor, senior leaders in Defence have gathered to remember the leadership, bravery and hardship encountered by the personnel from 22 nations who participated in the mission.

More than 50 guests, including CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove and Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Maj-Gen Martyn Dunn, attended the anniversary dinner at HMAS Kuttabul last month.

Host Maj-Gen Mark Evans said the commemorative event was a great opportunity to reflect on the efforts of the personnel involved in Interfet.

“On our arrival in East Timor we were faced with the initial devastation caused by militia, and just six months later we were able to see the local people return to normality and feel safe within their own homes,” he said.

“The final handover of command from Interfet to the UNTAET was without fault. This success can be largely attributed to the exceptional leadership of the forces from the 22 nations involved in Interfet.”

Maj-Gen Evans said the occasion also allowed many of the Interfet participants to recognise the efforts of Gen Cosgrove before he retires from Defence. “Participants personally acknowledged General Cosgrove’s tremendous work in successfully completing the Interfet mission,” he said.