E. Timor wants to new Timor Gap Treaty

East Timor has wanted to change the current Timor Gap Treaty, a treaty signed between Indonesia and Australia to explore oil and gas in the Timor sea, with a new treaty to be signed between a new government of an independent East Timor and the Australian government.

The East Timor National Resistance Council (CNRT) said on Tuesday that it also wanted to discuss the sea boundary between East Timor and Australia, noting that the new boundary should cover more sea into East Timor area so that the so-called development area which in the current Timor Gap Treaty is shared by Indonesia (East Timor) and Australia should be included into East Timor's territory.

The head of CNRT economic planning division, Meri'e Aikatiri, was quoted by The Australian on Thursday as saying that a new East Timor leader to be elected next year, was ready to negotiate the new treaty and sea boundary with Australia.

CNRT is considered by many as an acting government before an official government is formed by the United Nnations Transitional Administration for East Timor (UNTAET). CNRT president "Xanana" Gusmao is widely expected to be elected as the first president of independent East Timor.

"East Timor never thinks of a re-negotiation, but negotiation for a new treaty," Aikatiri said.

Aikatiri started talks with UNTAET official Peter Galbraith in Canberra, on Thursday.

The impoverished East Timor enjoys a royalty of A$10 million per annum from the Elang Kakatua oil and gas field, off East Timor coast. The money is managed by UNTAET as the acting administrative power in East Timor. UNTAET took over Indonesia's role under the Timor Gap Treaty following East Timorese decision, through a referendum, to separate from Indonesia last year.

East Timor would start enjoying another $100 million per annum in royalty from from Bayu Undan gas and oil field, when the field starts production in year 2003. Under the current Timor Gap Treaty, the concession for Bayu Undan will last for 20 years. (*)