East Timor’s decision to enter into CMATS does, however, appear to have
been born of real politik. Fundamentally, East Timor had few alternative
options available. In order to secure access to substantial additional revenues
derived from seabed resources, the deal had to be done. In short, in the judge-ment of East Timor’s negotiators, CMATS represented the best deal on offer
with minimal prospects of an alternative materialising