Home > South-East Asia >> East Timor

'Recent Media on Timor Sea issues NOT accurate'

Timor Sea Justice Campaign Darwin Press Release - July 7, 2005

1. Who says what:

It should be clear that most info coming out at present is from Australian government leaks.

The juxtaposition of Howard speaking 'after meeting with East Timor President Xanana Gusmao' does NOT mean Xanana had briefed the Australian PM.

As far as I can find reported Xanana has only said: "I'm not going to meddle in the negotiations, but will defend the interests of the Timorese state", said Gusmco, adding that if Dili and Canberra respect each other's rights, "we will arrive at a quick and beneficial solution" and similar.

There is a problem in that Jose Ramos Horta once again made some unhelpful comments but we need to remember always that it is the East Timor PM who has carriage of this matter. However, in saying "This is the best possible deal", this does not imply it is a fair deal, just the least mean one that Howard/Downer will allow.

2. What does East Timor PM Alkatiri say:

See June 17 (Bloomberg) -- 'East Timor and Australia are very close to an accord, but still not really there, (it) will be a temporary agreement to share the resources of Sunrise, and will not prejudice East Timor's ability to seek a permanent maritime boundary at a later date', Alkatiri said yesterday evening in a public address in Melbourne. We are negotiating a sharing of resources, it's not a financial settlement. We reject the idea of a financial settlement.

3. Is it a fair deal?

Howard again: Australia and East Timor have reached agreement on the treaty, the sea bed and the formula. This is a very fair and generous arrangement for East Timor. It will mean that that country will receive several billion dollars more over the years ahead than would otherwise have been received under the earlier arrangement and I reject completely the complaints that are still being made by some that Australia has been unfair and ungenerous towards the people of East Timor. We have always accepted the need to help the people of East Timor, consistent with our obligations to the Australian taxpayer.

Weasel words are the: 'consistent with our obligations to the Australian taxpayer'. He did NOT say: consistent with our obligations under International Maritime Boundaries Law.

The tired technique is repeated where you claim generosity when allowing a plateful of porridge to a starving man after first only offering a spoonful.

IT IS NOT A FAIR DEAL. Well, actually, we don't know what any deal actually is, if there is one! But if East Timor does not achieve at least 90% of the government take from the Greater Sunrise development (as would apply if the boundaries of the jpda were expanded to where international law suggests they should be located, a suggestion first made by Dr Andrew McNaughtan in May 2002), then it is not a fair deal.

4. Downer's views:

He said (6th July) Australia did not accept East Timor's argument that the lateral boundaries of the joint petroleum development area should be extended, and said Australia had been generous in giving East Timor 90 per cent of revenue from the joint area. "We don't think expanding the east-west boundaries...does have any basis in international law," he said, responding to a question from the audience. "We've had a dispute about that (the EW boundaries)...and in the end we made a very important argument here that with all of our neighbours, each country puts forward its own claim -- with all of our neighbours.

"And I, actually, am not the Foreign Minister of East Timor I am the Foreign Minister of -- yes -- Australia. And you know what country I stick up for in this world? Australia.

"I think East Timor will do extraordinarily well out of this agreement.

"It solves our legal problems as well.

"We're not so concerned about the money, we're concerned about the principles of our boundaries," he said.

Comment:

OK, if the money is not the issue then allow East Timor to gain its entitlements.

What legal problems with boundaries? Ah, that Australia does not accept current international law re maritime boundaries, perhaps, such that it has left the ICJ in relation to those.

If East Timor does well from gaining say half its entitlement, then it would do better to get it all. East Timor is still listed by the UN as the poorest country in Asia, its economy is contracting in many areas, we should not be ripping it off, as we are. These talks don't even seem to mention Corallina-Laminaria which is also disputed territory, and Australia arrogantly seizes 100% of the government take from here, now totalling $2bn.

5. Sunrise

I knew Woodside was courting East Timor again when I saw their senior negotiator and former alp national secretary Gary Grey step off the plane from Dili last Thursday.

The Woodside chairman Mr Voelte wrote to the East Timor Prime Minister after the Parliament last week unanimously supported the Government's Petroleum Fund Law, creating a permanent fund that is designed to make the country's petroleum revenues last for generations. It is also a highly open and transparent model based on Norway's fund but with additional transparency and accountability features. Mr Voelte said the plan showed that the Prime Minister is "committed to making Timor-Leste a model for the world. It is a magnificent achievement".

This initiative will give "tremendous encouragement" to the entire hydrocarbon industry as it demonstrates that Timor-Leste was determined to develop its resources in an open and transparent manner, Mr Voelte wrote. He added that the Petroleum Fund confirmed that Timor-Leste "is the kind of country Woodside wants to do business with, and I look forward to meeting you in the next few weeks to take that forward".

This view contrasts with the mean spirited editorial in today's Australian. I might remind that editorial writer that in his terms Australians don't lift a finger to enjoy the benefits of oil discoveries in our waters and land -- it is the oil companies who do the developing, as it will for East Timor owned discoveries. But a pipeline to East Timor is feasible as shown by authoritative studies, even the Phillips commissioned study showed that though the company lied about it. Remote development is quite feasible, and East Timor should start training engineers and construction workers now.

6. Whilst on the Australian Editorial today, complaining about light weapons and ammunition purchases, it was Australia which lobbied hard to deny further military support from the UN saying that East Timor has to stand on its own feet, but when it tries to do so it gets crucified by media. East Timor has a policy of placing border police near the border not its military to try to avoid exacerbating any tensions there.

It would be nice if the Australian government and Australian media allowed debate on these issues, what are they scared of?

Rob Wesley-Smith Timor Sea Justice Campaign Darwin and Australians For a Free East Timor (AFFET)

Phone: 08 89832113
PO Box 2155 Darwin NT 0801
 

Click here for archive of statements and press releases