Greens issue election challenge to Labot on East Timor

[Willis, Katrina (Sen B. Brown)]

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MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 19 May 2004

Greens issue election challenge to Labor on East Timor 

The Australian Greens today challenged Labor to commit to a fair
settlement of the maritime boundary dispute with East Timor if it wins
the federal election. Tomorrow is the second anniversary of East Timor's
independence.

"The Howard government has no intention of reaching a fair settlement
with East Timor over a permanent maritime boundary and the billions of
dollars in royalties from oil and gas that are tied to it," Greens
Senator Bob Brown said.

"The government is dragging out negotiations, issuing licences in
disputed territory, and taking an estimated $1 million a day in
royalties from the Laminaria-Corillina field that belongs to East Timor.

"That leaves an opportunity for Labor. On the eve of East Timor's
national day, the Greens are calling on the ALP to commit to the
following should the party win government at the federal election:

	*	To refer the permanent maritime boundary dispute to an
independent adjudicator, like the International Court of Justice, agreed
by both parties;

	*	To hold monthly, not six-monthly, meetings to ensure a
timely settlement, and; 

	*	To place Australia's share of royalties from disputed
territory, including the estimated $1.5 billion from the
Laminaria-Corillina field, into a trust fund pending the settlement of
the dispute.

"These measures accord with Labor's policy on East Timor, adopted at the
January 2004 national conference. (Reprinted overleaf)

"A resolution of this dispute sooner rather than later would go a long
way to helping the region's poorest nation deliver basic services to its
people.

"The Greens will be campaigning on this issue in the federal election,"
Senator Brown said.

More information: Katrina Willis 02 6277 3170 or 0419 704 095

Text of ALP policy adopted at January 2004 national conference:

"Labor recognises that the people of East Timor have the right to secure
internationally recognised borders with all neighbouring countries. A
future Labor Government will negotiate in good faith with the Government
of East Timor, in full accordance with international law and all its
applications, including the United Nations Convention on the law of the
Sea. In Government, Labor will do all things reasonably practicable to
achieve a negotiated settlement within three to five years. The
conclusion of the maritime boundary should be based on the joint
aspirations of both countries."






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