Australia may be proud of its role in East Timor but it is acting selfishly and illegally over oil, says Jose Ramos Horta, Foreign Minister of East Timor. He compares Australia’s role in oil talks, to “Bill Gates arguing with a taxi driver over a fare”. The richest country in the region should not be haggling with the poorest, he asserts.
Dr Horta, speaking at a Sydney fundraising dinner, spoke of the many challenges facing East Timor as it approaches its second birthday. There is still much to be done in rebuilding infrastructure, increasing access to education and reducing disease and malnutrition.
Dr Horta is cautiously optimistic about the future. East Timor should not rely exclusively on oil revenue but at the same time, that revenue would help to provide for basic services. “It is a matter of justice”, he said. Over 60 cases on international maritime boundaries had been decided on the 50/50 division between countries and only one - the agreement reached between Australia and Indonesia over the Timor Gap - had used a different formula. “Where is the justice in Australia’s stand?” Dr Horta asked. He was also critical of what he saw as Australia’s delaying tactics in the negotiations, which would only serve to benefit Australia.
Dr Ramos Horta, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his years of struggle for East Timorese independence, said there is “a cost in human terms of delaying the decision on oil and gas rights in the larger fields of the Timor Gap. Australia is putting self-interest before justice.”
He praised the churches, especially the Catholic Church, for their work in education and health and commented, “It’s not enough for churches to promise heaven, people need food in their stomachs”.
The dinner, organized by forceten, raised money for community food projects designed by local churches to help the poorest communities. Money raised form the evening will go projects run by Caritas Australia and Christian World Service.
Full details on Dr Ramos Horta’s speech can be obtained from forceten.
For more information contact Amanda Jackson, forceten, telephone 02 9299 2215
forceten, Locked Bag 199, Sydney, NSW, 1230, Fax: 02 9262 4514, Ph: 02 9299 2215
