While celebrating their 20th Anniversary on the arrival of the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET), Timorese are proud to establish the foundation of a peaceful, fair and tolerant society.
His Excellency the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, Dr Francisco Guterres Lu Olo stated that the auspicious occasion commemorated the memorable day on the arrival of INTERFET in Timor-Leste. “Today we commemorate an important date that is part of history of our struggle for self-determination and independence, ” he said. He added that 20th September marks the anniversary of the deployment of the INTERFET, the peacemaking taskforce that went to Timor-Leste to address the humanitarian and security crisis from 20 September 1999 and 28 February 2000 under the command of Major General Peter Cosgrove the current Governor-General of Australia. Fiji was later included in the peacemaking task force when the Republic of Fiji Military Forces was deployed to East Timor in January 2000.
HE Francisco Guterres Lu Olo stated that a total of 21 countries made an important contribution at a critical time in the history of Timor-Leste which has established a stable and unified society. “We are a multifaceted people, with varied ethnic origins, religions and belief, but we are united by a common sentiment of being Timorese, with a past marked by the heroism of a struggle that crossed the seas”.
The Commander RFMF Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto who was invited to attend the 20th Anniversary later made a courtesy call on Major General Lere Anan Timur General Chief of Staff of the FALINTIL-FDTL Timor Leste Defence Force.
