ETAN protests Australia Prime Minister John Howard’s DC Visit
 Australian
Prime Minister John Howard was met by more than just praise and
accolades during his recent visit to Washington, DC. While media
tycoon Rupert Murdoch toasted Howard at an exclusive business
leaders’ dinner held in his honor on July 18 at the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, protesters outside decried his bullying of East Timor over
maritime petroleum resources.
The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) staged an
attention-grabbing demonstration outside the Chamber of Commerce as
executives, diplomats, and Mr. Howard entered the building for the
invitation-only event. The guests were treated to loud cries of “End
Australia's Occupation of the Timor Sea!”, “Unfair, Unjust and
Unlawful!” and, as Mr. Howard attempted to slip in unnoticed, “STOP!
THIEF!” Protesters withstood Washington’s hundred-degree summer
heat, some wearing suits and ties and John Howard masks. These
costumed activists raised their own toast - champaign flutes filled
with East Timor’s oil (which tasted much like prune juice) - mocking
the Australian government’s theft since 1999 of more than $1.2
billion in revenue from extracted oil and gas under the Timor Sea.
One protester offered “a toast to calling thievery generosity!”
Other slogans, shouted toward dinner invitees through a
megaphone, included “Respect East Timor’s Independence” and “What's
Generous about Returning Stolen Property?” Chants highlighted the
Australian government’s coercion of the world's newest nation to
forgo its rights to their resources and maritime territory. A large
East Timorese flag and colorful banners and posters emphasized these
points.
News reports indicate that the two countries will soon sign an
agreement that would put off a maritime boundary agreement for as
long as 50 years and would split 50/50 royalties from the lucrative
Greater Sunrise field (most or all of which would belong to Timor if
the boundary were drawn according to current international legal
principles). This unfair “compromise” would deny Timor billions of
dollars and impinge upon its sovereignty. After withdrawing from
international mediation and arbitrations mechanisms, Australia has
been able to utilize its far greater political and economic power to
browbeat Timor into this agreement.
Journalists present for the event included the demonstration in
their coverage of Howard’s Washington visit. ETAN did two Australian
radio interviews at the scene and distributed leaflets to passers-by
to educate them about the maritime boundary issue. Several
protesters chased down the number two man at the State Department,
Deputy Secretary Robert Zoellick, eventually enticing him to take a
flyer. Hundreds of rush-hour drivers witnessed the protesters’
vibrant signs and loud chants. Impossible to ignore was ETAN’s
message for Prime Minister Howard, “Don't Steal Timor's Future.”
For more information see
http://www.etan.org/issues/tsea.htm.
Links to media coverage
Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
Contact: Karen Orenstein, 202-544-6911
Protest to Urge Fair Deal for East Timor
Colorful Demonstration Planned at Invite-Only Dinner for
Australia's Prime Minister Howard
On Monday, July 18, the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network
(ETAN) will picket Australia's Prime Minister John Howard to urge a
fair deal for East Timor in maritime boundary and resource
negotiations.
Where: US Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H St. NW (closest metro -
Farragut West on the orange/blue line)
When: Monday, July 18, 6:20 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
What: Protesters at the invitation-only dinner honoring John
Howard, Prime Minister of Australia, will sport pictures of John
Howard, make “champagne toasts,” and carry signs and other visual
props.
Why: Since East Timor's independence referendum in 1999, the
Australian government has taken some $1.2 billion in petroleum
revenue from one of the world's poorest countries. Australia is
occupying seabed territory with vast petroleum resources that would
belong to East Timor under international law. Under Prime Minister
Howard's leadership, the Australian government is bullying the
world's newest nation to forgo its rights to these resources and
maritime territory. Recent news reports indicate that the two
countries will soon sign an agreement that would put off a maritime
boundary agreement for as long as 50 years and would split 50/50
royalties from the lucrative Greater Sunrise field (most or all of
which would belong to Timor if the boundary were drawn according to
current international legal principles). This unfair “compromise”
would deny Timor billions of dollars and impinge upon its
sovereignty. After withdrawing from international mediation and
arbitration mechanisms, Australia has been able to utilize its far
greater political and economic power to browbeat Timor into this
agreement.
"Greed should not take priority over law and justice!" said Karen
Orenstein of ETAN. "John Howard should be ashamed to portray the
theft of East Timor's only significant natural resource as an act of
generosity."
For more information see www.etan.org.
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see also
Reported Australia/Timor-Leste Oil Deal
"Cheats" East Timorese, Says ETAN
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