Jon Lamb
The recently formed Movement Against the Occupation of the Timor Sea (MKOT) staged a series of peaceful demonstrations in Dili on April 14-16, demanding an end to the theft of East Timor's oil and gas resources.
Some 500 protesters gathered outside the Australian embassy on April 14, carrying banners and placards declaring "John Howard thief!" and "Stop stealing our oil, Australia". A strong police presence and roadblocks prevented many from reaching the protest.
Around 300 protesters also turned out on April 15 and 16, chanting, dancing and speaking out against the bullying of the Australian government.
MKOT organised the protests to coincide with talks in Dili between the governments of Australia and East Timor on the maritime boundary. The Australian government has repeatedly refused to accept East Timor's legitimate claim that the boundary be set along the median point between the two countries.
To further frustrate the East Timorese government, the Australian government has also declined to have more regular negotiations to resolve the boundary issue sooner.
MKOT criticised the Australian government for unilaterally issuing licenses in the contested Greater Sunrise field following the passing of the Greater Sunrise Unitisation Agreement Implementation Bill 2004 in Canberra on March 29.
The East Timorese parliament has refused to ratify a similar bill, claiming that this will cede up to US$8 billion in revenue to Australia that should rightfully flow to East Timor.
The formation of MKOT on April 7 is an exciting development in East Timorese politics, bringing together a dynamic range of human rights, student, worker, environment and advocacy organisations and individuals. MKOT is planning further actions and is calling for solidarity.
[To contact MKOT, phone Joao Sarmento on +670 723 5043 or email <laohamutuk@easttimor.minihub.org>.]
From Green Left Weekly, April 21, 2004.
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