United Nations Mission in East Timor

The United Nations Mission in East Timor was established by Security Council Resolution 1246 on 11 June 1999 for a period up to 31 August 1999. By Security Council Resolution 1257 of 3 August UNAMET was extended to 30 September 1999.

Mandate

To organise and conduct a popular consultation on the basis of a direct, secret and universal ballot, to ascertain whether the East Timorese people accept the proposed constitutional framework providing for a special autonomy for East Timor within the unitary Republic of Indonesia or reject the proposed special autonomy for East Timor, leading to East Timor's separation from Indonesia, in accordance with the General Agreement and to enable the Secretary-General to discharge his responsibility under paragraph 3 of the Security Agreement.

Staff

Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission: Mr Ian Martin
Personal Representative of the Secretary-General: Ambassador Jamsheed Marker
Deputy Personal Representative of the Secretary-General: Mr Francesc Vendrell
Chief of Civilian Police: Commissioner Alan Mills
Chief Military Liaison Officer: Brigadier General Rezaqul Haider
Electoral Commissioners: Patrick A. Bradley, Johann Kriegler and Bong-Scuk Sohn
Chief Electoral Officer: Mr Jeff Fischer
Chief Administrative Officer: Mr Johanes Wortel
Chief Political Officer: Ms Beng Yong Chew
Chief of Public Information: Mr David Wimhurst

In addition, the representatives were supported by an international staff of about 210 people. A civilian police force of 271 was provided by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay, US and Zimbabwe. In addition, 50 Military Liaison Officers were provided by Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Denmark, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Russian Federation, Thailand, United Kingdom, US, Uruguay. The international team was completed by the deployment of about 420 UN volunteers from 67 countries providing district electoral officers, support staff and medical services.
The international team was supplemented by local staff to support voter registration and to staff polling stations.

In popular culture

UNAMET is depicted in the ABC television series, Answered By Fire.
Hazel, Geoff. . Historical autobiography of the civilian police in the District of Ermera, East Timor as they assisted in the conduct of the Popular Consultation.
Pemper, Tammy. . Big Sky Publishing. A biography from a peacekeeper's perspective, based on actual events in Timor during the historical 1999 referendum.