Timor-Leste demands fair boundary

NGOs and other organisations concerned with the future 
development of East Timor and the well being and security of its 
people have issued a statement on the question of the maritime 
boundaries between Australia and East Timor. Their statement 
says:

Civil society and people in Timor-Leste, including the NGOs 
issuing this statement, continue to follow the negotiations 
between our government and Australia with great interest. We 
believe that the issues being discussed in Darwin this week are 
among the most important for the future of our nation.

Based on what we have been able to learn about the negotiations 
process, we urge Australia to do the following:

1. Respect the national sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of 
Timor-Leste, negotiating with our government as an equal partner 
and not belittling us with offers of "Christmas presents". Listen 
and respond to our national right to establish the boundaries of 
our newly-independent nation.

2. Although it appears that Timor-Leste's negotiators are 
considering a "creative solution" which would put off a boundary 
settlement for many decades, we continue to believe that a 
permanent boundary, both for the water column and the seabed, is 
essential for completing our struggle for national independence. 
The boundary should be based on current international legal 
principles, along the median line between our two coasts, with 
lateral boundaries decided according to current international 
law.

3. Return to the international dispute resolution processes for 
maritime boundaries of the International Court of Justice and the 
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

4. Do not involve our future in your nation's politics. Over the 
past six months, we have been disappointed to see Timor-Leste's 
rights used by Australian politicians for domestic political 
purposes. Our rights are based on international law and moral 
principles, not on Australian public opinion polls. We are struck 
by the contrast between last year, when you refused to meet more 
than once every six months, and now, just before your election, 
when you want to meet every week.

5. Respect Timor-Leste's right to develop our resources on a 
timetable that is best for our people. We are dismayed by 
Australia's support for Woodside's hunger to extract Sunrise gas 
as fast as possible.

6. Stop exploration of Laminaria-Corallina and other fields in 
disputed territory, including issuing of new licenses. Place all 
revenues received from such fields in an escrow account, to be 
apportioned between our nations when an agreement is completed.

East Timor NGO Forum

HAK Association, Haburas Foundation, La'o Hamutuk (East Timor 
Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis), FOKUPERS, 
LAIFET (Labor Advocacy Institute of East Timor), Timor-Leste 
Community Radio Association (ARKTL), The Mirror of the People 
(LABEH), Forum Tau Matan (FTM), Timor-Leste Students Association.