THE TIMOR-LESTE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS REGARDS ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY AS FRIVOLOUS AND IN BAD FAITH.

Dili, 03 March 2004
The Timor-Leste Council of Ministers has stated: “We consider the allegations made by Petrotimor and its parent, Oceanic, to be far-fetched and in bad faith.”

Neither Timor-Leste, nor any member of its government, is named as a respondent in the claim of racketeering and interference in economic gain, filed by Oceanic and Petrotimor in Washington on Monday 1 March.

However, the Council expressed its solidarity with Prime Minister Alkatiri in his categorical denial of defamatory allegations and insinuations in the claim that he accepted US$ 2.5 million from ConocoPhillips Petroleum to secure their investment in the Timor Sea. The Council expressed solidarity with the members of Prime Minister Alkatiri’s family alleged to have also received money.

The Council also expressed solidarity with members of the Timor-Leste National Parliament and leadership aggrieved by the defamatory allegations and insinuations. The Timor-Leste Council of Ministers stated: “The claim by Petrotimor and Oceanic is frivolous and vexatious. It is a highly unfortunate distraction at this difficult and crucial time of nation building.”

The Council noted that the claim is based on purported exploration licenses issued by the Portuguese colonial power in 1974. Neither Petrotimor nor Oceanic sought to enforce any such license during Timor-Leste’s 25 years of Indonesian illegal occupation, or to object to that occupation in any manner.