Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta says his nation is very pleased with the Albanian government’s decision to order an interruption in the search for whistleblower Bernard Collaery.
Bernard Collaery had been charged with offenses under the National Security Information Act and accused of illegally sharing classified information about Australia’s negotiations to gain revenue from oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea.
Ramos-Horta on Thursday labeled Attorney General Mark Dreyfus ‘decision to drop the case as successful, saying it closed “a bitter chapter” in the two countries’ relations.
“What happened in the past by Australia with the error of our offices, the espionage of our government and during the negotiations on oil revenues, maritime borders, talks, all this, we leave it at that. back, ”he told ABC News.
The president said his government was holding talks with Australia and mining and oil operators to develop the Timor Sea.
“That’s what matters now. To make it all easier, a much better environment of mutual trust. We’re determined to move forward.”
Ramos-Horta also said he hoped he would return the passport of Witness K, who received a three-month suspended sentence.
“Witness K is another victim of this whole saga. If he had not been ordered to upset a poor country, he would not have done so,” the president said.
He said Witness K had done nothing to damage Australia’s international position and that his whistle was consistent with high ethical and moral standards.
“Returning the passport to Witness K would be fantastic. poor and impoverished country “.
Ramos-Horta called on Australia to increase its support for the Timor-Leste education system so that its schools can issue standard Australian certifications.
He proposed a figure of $ 300 million a year to tackle extreme poverty and child malnutrition and help Timor-Leste be self-sufficient in agriculture and move away from fossil fuels to a green economy.
“Australia could seriously invest and make Timor-Leste a success story, a study in the green economy. We are small; Australia has abundant resources.”