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"We put forward a range of options
that would address these various elements of a resolution to our
dispute. What the Australian Government delegation was willing to
offer and explore did not come even close to recognizing our sovereign
rights in the disputed areas. We were talking about Timor-Leste
participation in the development of the disputed resources; they were
talking about money. We were too far apart to reach agreement." Timor-Leste
Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri,
Timor Sea Office
This page last
updated 5 Nov 2004
Statement by Timor-Leste Prime Minister on
Timor Sea talks
Timor Sea Office
Office of the Prime Minister
27 October 2004
The third in an intensive series of talks over the last month between
the governments of Timor-Leste and Australia regarding disputed Timor
Sea resources ended today without an accord.
The talks were aimed at achieving a so-called creative solution to the
Timor Sea dispute sharing Timor Sea resources and resolving competing
Timor-Leste and Australian claims without setting a permanent maritime
boundary.
Under a permanent maritime boundary set according to international law,
Timor-Leste would be entitled to three times the revenue to which it is
entitled under current interim arrangements.
Prime Minister Alkatiri stated: During these exploratory
sessions, we have put a number of possible means of resource sharing on
the table for purposes of discussion. We were willing to be
flexible in terms of their implementation.
Unfortunately, we were told categorically that none of these possible
means of resource sharing could be contemplated.
The talks followed from the meeting between Ministers Ramos-Horta and
Downer on August 11.
In August, I welcomed Minister Downer s interest in reaching a creative
solution to our dispute, and his recognition of Timor-Leste's just
claims to areas beyond the JPDA. As I said then, any solution
needs to fully reflect Timor-Leste's sovereign rights in the areas to
the East and West of the JPDA. This means that, in order to
resolve the Timor Sea dispute, we will have to find not only a fair
means of sharing the upstream revenues from petroleum resources, but
will also have to deal fairly with the downstream, meaning petroleum
transportation and processing.
We put forward a range of options that would address these various
elements of a resolution to our dispute. What the Australian
Government delegation was willing to offer and explore did not come
even close to recognizing our sovereign rights in the disputed
areas. We were talking about Timor-Leste participation in the
development of the disputed resources; they were talking about
money. We were too far apart to reach agreement.
Although we are seriously disappointed with this week's outcome,
Timor-Leste remains willing to reach a solution to the Timor Sea
dispute expeditiously. Timor-Leste and Australia are
neighbours. We cannot stop negotiating.
For further information contact:
Paul Cleary +670 723 4151;
Manuel Mendonça +670 723 4155
27 October 2004
Paul Cleary
Communications director
Timor Sea Office
Office of the Prime Minister
PO Box 149
Dili, TIMOR-LESTE
Ph. +670 723 4151
Via the US: 212 963-0099 x. 6637
Via Australia: 08 8946 3900 x. 6637
Fax: +670 331 7413
http://www.timorseaoffice.gov.tp/
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