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Military in Timor-Leste - Source: ONE News
Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations-led intervention in Timor-Leste.
On August 30, 1999, the people of Timor-Leste (East Timor) voted to begin a process leading to democracy.
In an overwhelming vote almost 80% of the people voted for independence from Indonesia.
The day represents the beginning of the independence process and the beginning of the UN's formal presence in the territory.
Timor-Leste has a history of violence. In 1975 the country declared its independence but was later invaded and occupied by Indonesia and was declared Indonesia's 27th province.
The Indonesian rule in Timor-Leste was often marked by extreme violence and brutality.
In the wake of the voting for independence in 1999, pro-Indonesia militias, backed by the Indonesian military, rampaged through the country killing hundreds and displacing many.
International intervention
More than 1,000 people died in the Timor-Leste violence before a peacekeeping force led by Australia and joined by New Zealand, intervened to restore order.
The United Nations and international relief organisations came together to help the new nation build a government and peaceful society.
The militias fled across the border into Indonesian West Timor, from which sporadic armed raids were attempted.
The raids were repelled and international moral opinion forced Indonesia to withdraw tacit support and the militias then dispersed.
New Zealand's involvement
When Indonesia announced it would let UN peacekeepers into Timor-Leste, then-New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley reconvened parliament early to debate the issue.
In September 1999 New Zealand forces joined the Australian-led peacekeeping force in the region.
New Zealand also announced $500,000 for humanitarian relief.
Nearing the end of September Kiwi soldiers came face to face with the atrocities of the conflict when they discovered 13 bodies, many of them charred, near Dili.
Scenes such as this led to New Zealand increasing its peacekeeping force to a full battalion of more than 800 soldiers.
The rampant and wanton destruction in Timor-Leste shocked many of the troops on the ground.
In February 2000 the New Zealand defence forces in Timor-Leste became part of the UN peacekeeping force when the UN took over the responsibilities.
This resulted in the Kiwi contingent being cut by around 100 and then eventually to the withdrawal of troops.
Casualties
Private Leonard Manning's death in Timor-Leste was New Zealand's first combat death since the Vietnam War.
Manning's patrol was ambushed by pro-Indonesian militiamen close to the border with West Timor. Two other New Zealand servicemen were killed in accidents in the region.
The New Zealand Defence Force involvement in East Timor between 1999 and 2002 was New Zealand's largest operational military commitment since the Korean War.
At least 102,800 Timorese died as a result of the brutal 24-year occupation and a decade after the vote that led to independence, Timor-Leste is just beginning the hard work of nation building.
However, many are expressing frustration and regret that not more has changed.
