Max Lane, Sydney

On April 26, a new round of negotiations will start between the Australian and East Timorese governments over the maritime boundary between the two countries.

The Australian government is still refusing to recognise the internationally accepted principle that the border of two countries less than 400 nautical miles apart lies exactly halfway between them. Instead, the federal Coalition government is insisting on a boundary drawn up in such a way that it will give Australia control of most of the oil and gas, which all lies on the East Timorese side of the border halfway between the countries.

Of 80 known examples of maritime borders between two countries less than 400 nautical miles apart, the border being demanded by the Australian government is the only example where the halfway point, or median line, is not accepted as the boundary. The Australian government has declared that it will not accept any ruling by the International Court of Justice or any United Nations body on this matter.

According to solidarity activists campaigning against the Australian government’s theft of Timor’s oil and gas, there is nothing that actually needs negotiation. The campaign is demanding that Australia recognise the median line border and acknowledge East Timorese ownership of all natural resources on the East Timorese side of the border.

The Timor Sea Justice Campaign has initiated demonstrations on April 26 in Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide to protest the Australian government’s policy on this issue. Visit <http://www.timorseajustice.org>.

From Green Left Weekly, April 27, 2005.
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