AUSTRALIA NETWORK NEWS
12/11/2013
East Timor is attempting to have a $40 billion oil and gas treaty it signed with Australia quashed in The Hague.
It alleges Australia had the advantage in negotiations because the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) spied on the Timorese cabinet in Dili, during the negotiation process in 2004.
Last week, ASIO agents also seized material from the home of a former ASIS officer, who was preparing to give evidence against Australia in the case at The Hague.
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Abbot: Busted, exposed |
Attorney-General George Brandis said that he authorised the raids on national security grounds, but he has denied they were linked to the legal action.
Senator Brandis said the material would not be passed onto anyone involved in the legal proceedings.
Lawyers for East Timor have now written to Senator Brandis seeking a copy of ASIO's search warrants and requesting that all documents and data taken during the raids are returned.
East Timor claims that Australia's intelligence services used the cover of an aid program to install listening bugs inside the East Timorese cabinet room.
Timor's natural resources minister, Alfredo Pires, says he has identified four spies who were involved but he will keep the names secure.
"People working in Australian aid programs around the world will be under suspicion," she said.
"It is really time for the Government to step up here. The Greens have called for an inquiry twice into what's been going on into spying and overreach in East Timor."
Australia has updated its official travel advisory for East Timor to warn Australians that protests near the Australian Embassy in Dili may continue.
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Australia, Abbot have absolutely no intention of giving up E. Timor gas and oil |
It says the overall level of advice is to "exercise a high degree of caution" in East Timor because of the uncertain security situation and the possibility of civil unrest.