On22February1991PortugalsubmittedanapplicationtotheInternationalCourtof
Justice(ICJ)institutingproceedingsagainsttheCommonwealthofAustralia.Portugal
wasactingonbehalfof,andintheinterestof ,thepeopleofEastTimorinbringingthe
claim,whilesimultaneouslydefendingitsowninterests.In1989Australiaconcluded
anagreementwithIndonesiaconcerningthedelimitationandtheexploitationofthe
continentalshelfofEastTimor.AccordingtothePortugueseapplicationAustralia,
interalia,therebyinfringedtherightofthepeopleofEastTimortoself-determination.
AbriefexaminationoftheeventsinvolvingEastTimorinthe1970sisnecessary