Timor protesters slam Australia, reject WB

Timor protesters slam Australia, reject WB

Reuters, Dili

Around 150 East Timorese staged a boisterous demonstration on Sunday, accusing Australia of stealing the country's petroleum wealth and rejecting World Bank and IMF involvement in the soon- to-be-independent nation.

The protesters were outside a trade exhibition centre and directed much of their anger at Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who was due to open the venue within a few hours.

Howard arrived at Dili's airport earlier. Draped with a Timorese weaving over his shoulder, he told reporters he would appeal to the international community not to forget East Timor after midnight (1500 GMT), when it is due to become independent.

Scores of Timorese police kept a watchful eye on the protesters. Among slogans on their banners were "Australia, stop stealing East Timor's oil", "Howard, if you take my oil you're my enemy", and "No IMF, World Bank colonialisation for East Timor".

East Timor and Australia are due to sign on Monday an oil and gas development treaty for the seabed of an area between the two countries known as the Timor Gap.

While the deal will bring substantial revenue to impoverished East Timor, there are still unresolved issues including the precise boundaries between the countries' waters which could make a difference worth billions of dollars for the tiny territory.

Howard told reporters the treaty's terms were very fair and reasonable.

The protesters' slogans criticising the International Monetary Fund and World Bank echoed those of anti-globalisation demonstrators elsewhere in recent years, who accuse the international financial institutions of doing more harm than good because of stiff conditions they often impose in exchange for aid.

The World Bank played a prominent role at a conference this week that resulted in international donors pledging US$360 million in aid to East Timor over the next three years.