August 20, 2019:
The United Nations in Timor-Leste congratulates Timor-Leste on the 44th anniversary of the formation of FALINTIL.
FALINTIL formed the armed resistance to Indonesia between 1975-1999. It transformed into Falintil Forca Defesa de Timor-Leste in the early 2000s.
As we move towards commemorating that period in Timor-Leste history, we are reminded that F-FDTL is also a peace keeper in its own right.
This transformation is supported by the United Nations in Timor-Leste.
In Metinaro, the F-FDTL has established a UN Peacekeeping Training Centre supported by the Australian Defence Forces and the UN.
Each year the Training Centre runs a three-week course for “UN Experts on Mission”where military Officers are required to attend this course prior to deploying as either a Staff Officer or as a Military Observer/Liaison Officer in UN Missions. The UN has provided hands-on experience of how to work in such UN operations and how to ensure respect for the equal rights of women and to promote women's leadership, including in peace-keeping operations. The UN has also been supporting F-FDTL efforts to increase knowledge about the importance of, and respect for, human rights in its daily operations in Timor-Leste.
On FALINTIL Day we wish everyone a peaceful and secure future.
Roy Trivedy
Resident Coordinator
United Nations in Timor-Leste