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International law must be followed for maritime negotiations to progess

Timor Sea Justice Campaign Press Release - March 10, 2005

With the latest round of maritime boundary negotiations between Australia and East Timor coming to an end yesterday, an Australian lobby group claims the Australian Government's refusal to abide by current principles of International Law will impede any significant progress towards a just outcome to the dispute.

"Unless the Australian Government acknowledges East Timor's legal entitlements under current International Law and stops trying to short change the East Timorese people, then future negotiations are not going to result in a just and fair outcome" said Tom Clarke, co-ordinator of the Timor Sea Justice Campaign, Melbourne.

"The East Timorese resisted a brutal occupation for 24 long years, why would they give up on their struggle for self-determination for a one off payment that falls well short of what East Timor is legally entitled to?" asked Tom Clarke.

The Australian Government has reportedly offered a $3 to 4 billion one off payment, if the East Timorese Government suspends sovereignty over resources lying closer to East Timor than Australia and worth over $40 billion.

Under the so called "Hong Kong solution", The Australian Government wants to postpone the establishment of permanent maritime boundaries with East Timor for up to 100 years to ensure that the contested oil and gas resources are depleted before they can formally be recognised as belonging to East Timor.

East Timor has no legal avenue to resolve this dispute because the Australian Government preemptively withdrew recognition of the maritime boundary jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice two months before East Timor's independence.

Tom Clarke claims, "The Australian Government is blatantly ignoring International Law, so it can take billions of dollars from one of the poorest nations in the world. East Timorese children are dying from preventable diseases and the Australian Government is taking $1 million a day of contested oil royalties. It's bringing shame to all Australians."

"John Howard needs to reign in his foreign minister and show that Australia still believes in a fair go. He can do this by settling the dispute in accordance with International Law" finished Tom Clarke.

For more information contact:

Tom Clarke Co-ordinator, TSJC Melbourne on 0422 545 763 or
Dan Nicholson Spokesperson, TSJC Melbourne on 0409 328 289.

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