Xanana denies BHP meeting

Xanana denies BHP meeting

Xanana Gusmao, the imprisoned leader of the East Timorese resistance, has rejected an article in the August 20 Sydney Morning Herald which reported that a high level BHP petroleum representative recently met with him in Cipinang prison.

The article claimed there was an "informal discussion" about the Timor Gap Treaty.

In a handwritten statement (a reprint of which was included in a letter sent to the Sydney Morning Herald by the East Timor International Support Centre), Gusmao stated his surprise at seeing the article.

"This morning", he wrote, "I was struck by the news published by the Sydney Morning Herald on an alleged meeting, between Mr Peter Cockcroft, BHP representative in Jakarta, and myself to discuss the future of East Timor's oil resources. I wish to say that no such meeting took place.

"I have noted that in the circumstances, similar to those of the East Timor conflict, misinformation is commonplace, often used to undermine progress from being made at political and diplomatic levels."

From GLW issue 330