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26 April 2005

ANZAC DAY CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR EAST TIMOR 

The latest series of television advertisements financed by businessman Ian Melrose calling for justice for East Timor feature WWII veterans reflecting on how they owe their lives to the people of East Timor. In the advertisement one veteran, John 'Paddy' Keneally states that veterans 'did not fight for this kind of Australia'.

The advertisements are timed to coincide with the annual Anzac Day commemoration on April 25th when the nation remembers those who lost their lives in war. They are also timed to coincide with the resumption of the next round of maritime boundary negotiations scheduled to take place in Dili from April 26th-28th.

The Timor Sea Justice Campaign is also planning a series of protest gatherings around the country at that time to highlight Australia's refusal to consider a permanent maritime boundary drawn in accordance with current principles of international law.

Instead the Australian Government is reportedly offering a one off payment in exchange for East Timor postponing requests for a permanent maritime boundary for up to 99 years. Such an arrangement would allow all of the petroleum resources to be depleted long before the contested areas are formally acknowledged by Australia to be part of East Timor's exclusive economic zone.

Information about the background to the dispute, details of the planned forthcoming protests and suggestions for further action are available at the website above.

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