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INTERFET (East Timor, 1999-2001)

International Force for East Timor

Last modified: 2023-12-09 by zachary harden
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INTERFET flag image by Jan Oskar Engene, 20 February 2000
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  • Here, a photo of the INTERFET flag.
    Jarig Bakker, 24 February 2000

Presentation

INTERFET (International Force for East Timor) is merely a military mission and its successor (known here as the phase III of the agreement between Portugal and Indonesia) will have also administrative powers, which INTERFET does not have.
Jorge Candeias, 20 October 1999

Wednesday Feb. 23, 2000, the U.N. takes over military command of East Timor from INTERFET.
quoted by Jarig Bakker, 24 February 2000

In February this year INTERFET has gradually handed over military responsibilities to UNTAET, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, a process marked by a series of ceremonies which involved lowering of the INTERFET flag, raising of the UN flag and “re-hatting” of military personnel (they changed head gear to UN blue berets).
Jan Oskar Engene, 20 February 2000


Description

On the image above I have assumed that the flag is 1:2 in ratio and that the emblem is centered on the field.
Jan Oskar Engene, 20 February 2000

I do not think we should put much emphasis on the exclusion of the exclave [Ocussi Ambeno] in the flag design. INTERFET did in fact occupy it and control has been handed over to the new United Nations civilian and military administration which will prepare the whole of East Timor, including the exclave, for the future.
Jan Oskar Engene, 20 February 2000


Headquarters flag

INTERFET flag image by Jan Oskar Engene, 11 September 2005

Photographs taken at the final transfer ceremony in Dili show a flag with a green field and at least one or two white stars (six pointed) in addition to a golden yellow emblem (?) with an inscription. Associated Press reported that the flag was handed over to Maj. Gen. Cosgrove, the INTERFET commander.
Jan Oskar Engene, 23 February 2000

This was in fact my personal or headquarters flag. It had the INTERFET symbol and underneath two white stars, denoting that INTERFET was a “two star” (i.e., Major General's) command. I hold that flag.
Peter Cosgrove, 02 July 2005

General Cosgrove also explained that the dimensions of the INTERFET Commander’s Flag are 104:180 cm and that he is in possession of the only flag made.
Jan Oskar Engene, 11 September 2005

This flag is similar to the (later) regimental flag of the Australian Battalion of UNTAET.
António Martins, 20 May 2006