The first formal round of negotiations between UNTAET, representing East Timor, and the Government of Australia on the Timor Gap started in Dili today.
This first round of negotiations, on the future treaty that will govern the resources of the Timor Gap, will last until 12 October and follows two informal meetings held in Australia.
In today’s round both parties put forward their views. It is UNTAET’s position that East Timor is entitled to all revenues north of the mid-point between both countries, in accordance with current international law of the sea.
UNTAET’s delegation is jointly led by Peter Galbraith, Director and Cabinet Member for Political Affairs and Mari Alkatiri, Cabinet Member for Economic Affairs, and the Australian delegation by Michael Potts, First Assistant Secretary of International Organizations and Legal Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Australian delegation also includes representatives from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the Attorney’s General Department, the Australian Surveying and Land Information and the Northern Territory Government.
UNTAET’s delegation includes Political and Legal officers.
CNRT President Xanana Gusmão, CNRT Vice President Mário Carrascalão, James Batley, Head of the Australian Mission in Dili, and Miguel Galvão Teles, a Portuguese lawyer, also participated in the meeting.
MILITIA SHOT DEAD BY PEACEKEEPERS
The New Zealand Battalion is currently focusing on clearing and securing the area where New Zealand peacekeepers shot dead an armed militiaman on Friday evening, 6 October.
The incident took place 4.5 km north of the New Zealand battalion base at Suai. New Zealand soldiers initiated the contact when the militia member approached their position.
“The New Zealand Battalion were in a static position, in order to observe any militia movement within the area of operations,” Peacekeeping Chief of Operations Colonel Phil Gibbons said. “Three sightings of militia members close to the incident site were reported to the New Zealand Battalion last Friday.”
No New Zealanders were injured in the shooting.
New Zealand soldiers shot dead a militiaman on 26 September near the border.
