THE UNITED NATIONS MEDAL (UNAMET) (UNTAET) (UNMISET)

Obverse: The United Nations global projection emblem, above which are the letters "UN".

Reverse: Plain, with the legend "IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE".

Size: 35mm in diameter.

Ribbon: 35mm wide, the ribbon for all three medals is the same, and has two outer bands of UN blue, representing the UN presence in East Timor. Inside the two bands, there are two equal bars - closest to the blue, the bar is crimson, with the bar closest to the centre being sunrise yellow. These colours represent the brilliant and spectacular sunrises and sunsets experienced in East Timor. The centre of the ribbon is a band of white, traditionally the colour of peace and hope, the goal this Mission seeks to achieve. Ninety days of service in the Mission was necessary to qualify for award of the medal.

Suspension: The ribbon is threaded through a 12mm diameter ring, which passes through a loop fixed to the top of the piece. The ring will move forwards and backwards.

United Nations Assistance Mission In East Timor (UNAMET) and United Nations Transitional Administration In East Timor (UNTAET) were established on 25 October 1999 by the adoption of the Security Council Resolution 1272. The main goals of the missions were to provide security and maintain law and order throughout the territory of East Timor, to establish an effective administration, to assist in the development of civil and social service and to support capacity-building for self-government. UNTAET was replaced by United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) on 20 May 2002, when Timor-Lesta became an independent nation.

New Zealand contributed military liaison officers and civilian police to UNAMET, Army, Air Force, Navy, civilian police personnel, correction officers and customs officers to UNTAET, and military observers to UNMISET. Most New Zealand Defence Force personnel remained under INTERFET command until 23 February 2000, when they transferred to UNTAET.

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