Comrades,
It is unfortunate and concerning that false information about the TSJC has been recently been reported in the media. Hopefully this statement can help clarify the matter: Neither the Timor Sea Justice Campaign nor businessman Ian Melrose, have ever made public comments criticising any East Timorese Government officials or members of the maritime boundary negotiating team.
We believe the East Timorese negotiating team has done a commendable job in securing a larger share of royalties from the Greater Sunrise gas field, considering that they have been up against a hardnosed and stonewalling Australian Government that has demonstrated that it has never had any intention of settling this matter in accordance with International Law.
The focus of the TSJC has always been, and will remain to be, on the inappropriate actions of our, the Australian, Government. By raising public awareness of this issue and placing pressure on the Australian Government to behave in a fair and just manner, we hope to have assisted in creating a more favourable climate for the negotiations to take place in. All of the TSJC's official statements can be found online on our website www.timorseajustice.org The TSJC has never expressed anything but admiration for the East Timorese people and their efforts in their struggle for self-determination and independence.
In solidarity, the TSJC will continue to campaign for the Australian Government to give East Timor 'a fair go' so that East Timor can enjoy its rightful entitlement of a permanent maritime boundary established in accordance with current International Law.
As a maritime boundary is yet to be established, the struggle unfortunately continues. But the East Timorese people will always have many allies in Australia!
Tom Clarke, On behalf of the Timor Sea Justice Campaign, Melbourne.