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"If
the negotiations completely break
down we certainly talk with friends around the world, not only
Hollywood but politicians, intellectuals, academics, normal people in
the streets, in Australia and around the world. ... It will be Australia that has to
explain to the international community why it refuses other western
democracy that lectures other countries about international law, about
human rights… Australia will have to explain why it refuses to accept
jurisdiction on the international court of justice. ... We have tremendous international
support, the European Union, Commonwealth countries, Non Align
Movement, I do not know of a single country that is not sympathetic to
East Timorese situation." Jose
Ramos Horta, Foreign Minister of East Timor
Radio National:
East Timor ups ante in oil and gas fight
The World Today - Thursday, 16 December , 2004
12:30:00
Reporter: Anne Barker
ELEANOR HALL: East Timor has
upped the ante in its dispute with Australia over oil and gas reserves
in the Timor Sea.
The country's Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, is threatening to
launch the biggest international campaign since the anti-apartheid
protests of the 70s and 80s, to pressure Australia for a better share
of the royalties.
And he claims to have the support of heavyweights like Nelson Mandela,
Desmond Tutu, even Hollywood.
Northern Australia Correspondent, Anne Barker reports.
ANNE BARKER: For three decades
Jose Ramos Horta has played the world stage, as an ambassador for the
East Timorese cause.
Many of the years before independence he spent on the diplomatic
circuit in New York and Europe, rallying world leaders in the long
fight against Indonesian occupation.
But now, as East Timor's Foreign Minister, he's threatening to wield
that same diplomatic clout against Australia, by lobbying the
international community, including big names in Hollywood, to shame
Australia over its stance on Timor Sea oil.
JOSE RAMOS HORTA: If the
negotiations completely break down we certainly talk with friends
around the world, not only Hollywood but politicians, intellectuals,
academics, normal people in the streets, in Australia and around the
world.
ANNE BARKER: The long running
talks over oil and gas royalties broke down in October when Australian
negotiators walked out leaving one of the most lucrative ventures in
the Timor Sea in danger of collapse.
Australia has ruled out any more talks until East Timor accepts a
permanent maritime boundary on Australia's terms, and Canberra has
refused to settle the matter in the international court.
But Jose Ramos Horta says if Australia doesn't come round, he'll
mobilise one of the biggest campaigns the world has seen since the
anti-apartheid era.
And he's confident East Timor will have the world's elite onside.
JOSE RAMOS HORTA: It will be
Australia that has to explain to the international community why it
refuses other western democracy that lectures other countries about
international law, about human rights… Australia will have to explain
why it refuses to accept jurisdiction on the international court of
justice.
ANNE BARKER: How much
international support do you believe East Timor has on this issue?
JOSE RAMOS HORTA: We have
tremendous international support, the European Union, Commonwealth
countries, Non Align Movement, I do not know of a single country that
is not sympathetic to East Timorese situation.
ELEANOR HALL: East Timor's
Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, speaking to Anne Barker.
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1266589.htm
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