Indonesia still controls part of Timor Gap: Foreign Minister

Indonesia still controls part of the Timor Gap although the sea area located between former East Timor province and Australia has been surrendered to the province following its independence, according to Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda.

Speaking to reporters in Jakarta following a meeting between Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri and East Timor (now Timor Leste) President Xanana Gusmao, Wirajuda said that part of the Timor Gap particularly those located near Indonesia?s province of West Nusa Tenggara still belongs to Indonesia.

"Our fight for the area is not for commercial purpose but in line with our sovereignty," he said. "Determining the border lines between Indonesia and Timor Leste is therefore very crucial," he added.

Xanana and his entourages including Foreign Minister Romas Horta, among others, discussed the borderline of the two countries during their official visit, especially in the area near the Timor Gap, which is believed to contain large hydrocarbon reserves.

The so-called Timor Gap was formerly jointly developed by Indonesia and Australia. The new state has taken over the Indonesian position since its independence, and renegotiated the joint cooperation scheme with Australia.

But senior government officials of Timor Leste are not so happy with the outcome of the negotiations. Some of them have charged the Australia government with cheating in the new deal. The Timor Leste government then asked the help from Indonesia in the further negotiation process. An unidentified source said that Xanana would form a joint forum with Indonesia to oppose Australia in the new deal.

Both Wirajuda and Horta, however, denied the conspiracy charge. (*)