International Force East Timor Medal

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International Force East Timor Medal
Obverse (left), reverse (right) and ribbon (bottom) of medal
Awarded by Australia
Type	Campaign Medal.
Eligibility	INTERFET contributing countries personnel in East Timor
Awarded for	Service
Description	Circular nickel silver medal
Statistics
Established	25 March 2000
Total awarded	8,700 at 30 June 2006
Related	Australian Active Service Medal

The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) Medal recognises members of the Australian Defence Force who served for 30 days (or 30 sorties) in East Timor during the INTERFET campaign (16 September 1999 - 10 April 2000). The qualifying area comprises East Timor and the sea adjacent to East Timor out to a distance of 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the low water mark.

Australian Defence Force personnel are also recognised by the 'East Timor' clasp to the Australian Active Service Medal. Australia has also offered this medal to the other 16 nations who participated in the INTERFET operation.

[edit] Description

The nickel silver medal is surmounted by a connector piece, which features a raised Federation Star.
The obverse depicts the outline of a dove holding an olive branch, as a symbol of peace. This outline is raised in polished white silver and is superimposed on a textured map of East Timor and Territories. 'INTERNATIONAL FORCE EAST TIMOR' is inscribed on the inside of the medal rim.
The medal reverse features the wording 'TOGETHER AS ONE FOR PEACE IN EAST TIMOR'.
The 32 millimetre-wide has a central red stripe, flanked by stripes of green, white and pale blue. The white, green and blue stripes represent the Navy, Army and Air Force, with dual representation of white for peace, blue for the sea surrounding East Timor and green for the regrowth of a new nation. The central red stripe represents the turbulent past of East Timor.