PRIME MINISTER ALKATIRI CATEGORICALLY DENIES ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION.

Dili, 03 March 2004
Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri categorically denies allegations by Oceanic Exploration and its subsidiary Petrotimor that he was offered or accepted US$ 2.5 million from ConocoPhillips Petroleum to secure their investment in the Timor Sea.

Prime Minister Alkatiri said today ‘I have not, nor have I ever, taken bribes from ConocoPhillips or any other party. I regard these allegations as far-fetched and frivolous.’

Alkatiri considers the claim to be vexatious and to have been filed in bad faith. He said “Timor-Leste is the newest and one of the poorest countries in the world. Such allegations come as a highly unfortunate distraction at this difficult and crucial time of nation building. I understand that corruption has the potential to ruin Timor-Leste’s prospects; that is why it is my personal mission to build Timor-Leste on principles of integrity, honesty and transparency.’

Prime Minister Alkatiri, who is not named as a respondent, is however seeking advice for legal action in relation to the defamatory allegations.