Media Release The Hon Bruce Scott MP Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence

Wednesday, June 21, 2000 Min 163/00

IMAGES OF INTERFET TO BENEFIT CHILDREN OF EAST TIMOR

Proceeds from the sales of the interactive CD ROM Images of INTERFET will benefit underprivileged children in East Timor, the Acting Defence Minister, Bruce Scott said today.

Speaking in Sydney at the launch of Images of INTERFET, Mr Scott said the CD is a powerful account of the International Community's six month involvement in East Timor from September last year through until INTERFET handed over to UNTAET in March.

The interactive CD ROM, contains some 68 minutes of video and more than 1000 searchable images of the successful Australian-led INTERFET operation and United Nations Civilian Police presence.

With an introduction by the former INTERFET Commander, Major General Peter Cosgrove, Images of INTERFET provides an historical and educational account of the notable contribution made by INTERFET and the United Nations Civilian Police towards the rehabilitation and development of East Timor, Mr Scott said.

"Images of INTERFET provides a window into the sometimes hazardous and always demanding existence of those who saw service in East Timor," he said.

"The CD also portrays the joy that was experienced by the peacekeepers through the smiles they were able to bring to the faces of the East Timorese children."

Some 9 000 Australian servicemen and women served alongside more than 100 AFP and State and Territory police officers during the INTERFET and UN Civpol presence between September 1999 and March 2000 as part of Australia's contribution to the International Community presence in East Timor.

Images of INTERFET is a collection of video and images provided by a broad range of contributors, including the Defence Forces of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Philippines, as well as the Australian Federal Police, the United Nations and the Australian War Memorial, Mr Scott said. "Images of INTERFET will serve as memento of the selfless-sacrifice of those who saw service in East Timor."

Every CD sold will benefit the Salesian Missions in East Timor, with proceeds helping the children at the Salesian Orphanage for Boys in Los Palos and the Salesian Sisters Orphanage for Girls in Laga.

Produced by Multilocus Interactive, Images of INTERFET is available for purchase from Myer Direct and Australian Defence Credit Union branches nationwide.

Media contact: Mark Croxford 02 6277 7820 or 0401 145 787

For Chiefs of Staff and News Editors: Further information on Images of INTERFET can be found at

http://www.multilocus.com.au/interfet/press/ http://www.multilocus.com.au/interfet/press/

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