Oil training for Timorese

Oil training for Timorese

CANBERRA (AP): Australian Industry Minister Nick Minchin announced Wednesday a plan to help train East Timorese people for jobs in the former Indonesian province's fledgling oil and gas industry.

The announcement came shortly before Australia and East Timorese negotiators begin talks on redrafting a treaty dividing up profits from the rich Timor Gap oil and gas fields under the sea between northern Australia and East Timor.

A joint body set up by Australia, East Timor and the United Nations body steering the province to full statehood has set aside US$700,000 a year for the scheme from royalties paid by oil companies operating in the area.

"This is something constructive we can do to help improve the long term economic outlook for the people of East Timor," Minchin said.

Mari Alkatiri, an East Timorese leader who is minister for economic affairs in the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor, welcomed the decision.