An additional motivating factor for Australia, albeit an apparently relatively
minor one, was the fact that reaching a negotiated agreement with East Timor
would remove an embarrassing dispute with a small developing neighbour
which, rightly or wrongly, Australia is perceived by many outside observers as
treating unfairly. Certainly Australia’s apparently hard-line position on the
Timor Sea dispute has resulted in considerable international criticism
and negative press,as well as unfavourable comment from pro-East Timorese
pressure groups.
It is, however, difficult, if not impossible, to discern the influence
of these protests on the negotiating process, and in particular, the softening of
Australia’s stance on resource-sharing in the Timor Sea. In light of the final
shape of the agreement, which appears to meet all of Australia’s key objec-tives, it would seem that these criticisms had minimal impact on Australia’s
negotiating stance