East Timor – Australian Trooper’s Experience

My experience in East Timor

As the chopper landed in the remote country side, I looked around with a proud feeling. I was feeling proud because, we had just landed in east Timor where there was a lot of violence. There would be men, women and children all begging for money. I was proud because I knew I had a better life back in Australia and I knew at the end of this month, I could go back home and be with my family. My children wouldn’t have to beg and they could live in suitable conditions. I could shower with warm water and I could eat healthy and delicious food. I was also proud that I had come to this third world country, not for a holiday, but to fight for the rights of the people that called this filthy place, their home.

About 10 minutes after landing, my fellow troopers and I went to meet the people that live here. As I walked around tents, I saw many babies, some without parents and some without families. I saw a baby that was lying on the ground crying. I carried the baby and feed him some milk which he drank quickly. Once he had finished, he fell asleep. As I started at the child, the survival group leader mentioned that his father died trying to protect the mother who at the time was giving birth to the child. After giving birth, she died in that same tent I had found him. The group leader also mentioned this baby had aids and without the help of other countries, he will die soon. I had carried the baby for about half an hour and then a young girl, aged seven or eight, had come and taken the baby from me. This girl was the sister of the baby and she had taken care of him since their mother had died.

Once I knew that child was is safe arms, I left with my fellow troopers to a U.N camp site where we were to stay for the next month or so. We were all given food that was brought from Australia. As we ate, three young children came running to our camp site. Our team leader asked them what had happened. The child told him that they had just witnessed their parents’ death and had been beaten. As the children spoke, about five men ran straight at us with large knives and swords. A couple of our troopers grabbed an AK47 and told the men to stop and return to where they came from. The men all ignored the command and ran after the children. I stood in front of the children and guarded them from any violence. The men pushed me out of the way so I grabbed a pistol and shot three bullets at one man. Soon the other two men left and the children were safe. I gave them food off my plate and I took them all to their camp.