29 July 2004
ENSURING EAST TIMOR IS NOT FORGOTTEN
The issue of Australia’s relations with East Timor over the disputed oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea received some prominence recently with Opposition Leader Mark Latham pledging that a Labor government would go back to the drawing board in negotiations with East Timor over the Sunrise gas field. Mr Latham said the Government has failed in its negotiations with East Timor and that talks must be restarted.
"Our starting point is to recognise that if East Timor goes broke that's bad for Australia," he told commercial radio.
These comments came after some Members of the U.S. Congress had again expressed concern about Australia's stance toward East Timor in boundary negotiations between the two countries.
While noting his respect for Australia's government and people, representative James McGovern expressed concern for Australia's "ruthless treatment and disregard of East Timor's rights." He urged Australia "to do the right thing by East Timor: rejoin the international dispute resolution mechanism for maritime boundaries; refrain from offering disputed areas for new petroleum contracts; and expeditiously negotiate in good faith a permanent maritime boundary in the Timor Sea."
Calling East Timor's claim "protected by international law," Rep. Dennis Kucinich accused Australia of "displaying 'bad faith' in the negotiating process." He went on to say, "The people of East Timor do not want to be poor; they do not want to be begging for charity from wealthy countries, they do not want to end up as a 'failed state.' They want to be self-sufficient," as he urged his colleagues to "support the efforts of the world's newest independent state."
In March 2004, 53 representatives of Congress wrote to Australian Prime Minister John Howard, concluding that, "We trust your country's commitment to the freedom and security of East Timor will include recognition of East Timor's territorial integrity and its right to a swift, permanent resolution of the maritime boundary dispute."
Readers of this bulletin are encouraged to ensure this issue remains on the political agenda by writing to their local candidates expressing their concerns. Contact details for all members of parliament can be found at the Parliament of Australia website.
Further information including details of the forthcoming public forum in Melbourne can be found at the Timor Sea Justice website
"Our starting point is to recognise that if East Timor goes broke that's bad for Australia," he told commercial radio.
These comments came after some Members of the U.S. Congress had again expressed concern about Australia's stance toward East Timor in boundary negotiations between the two countries.
While noting his respect for Australia's government and people, representative James McGovern expressed concern for Australia's "ruthless treatment and disregard of East Timor's rights." He urged Australia "to do the right thing by East Timor: rejoin the international dispute resolution mechanism for maritime boundaries; refrain from offering disputed areas for new petroleum contracts; and expeditiously negotiate in good faith a permanent maritime boundary in the Timor Sea."
Calling East Timor's claim "protected by international law," Rep. Dennis Kucinich accused Australia of "displaying 'bad faith' in the negotiating process." He went on to say, "The people of East Timor do not want to be poor; they do not want to be begging for charity from wealthy countries, they do not want to end up as a 'failed state.' They want to be self-sufficient," as he urged his colleagues to "support the efforts of the world's newest independent state."
In March 2004, 53 representatives of Congress wrote to Australian Prime Minister John Howard, concluding that, "We trust your country's commitment to the freedom and security of East Timor will include recognition of East Timor's territorial integrity and its right to a swift, permanent resolution of the maritime boundary dispute."
Readers of this bulletin are encouraged to ensure this issue remains on the political agenda by writing to their local candidates expressing their concerns. Contact details for all members of parliament can be found at the Parliament of Australia website.
Further information including details of the forthcoming public forum in Melbourne can be found at the Timor Sea Justice website
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