Australian Intentions in Timor Leste

Ask anybody that has some kind of understanding of the situation in Timor Leste and what Australia's real intentions are and they will tell you it's the money and that the humanitarian effort is just a front.

I read an interesting article today entitled 'Australian Neo-Colonialism in East Timor' by William Hardiker. An astute journalist, Hardiker looks at the underlying factors and the projected intentions of Australia:

'The Australian presence in Dili has nothing to do with humanitarian reasons. The deployment has nothing to do with restoring peace and stability. Like the recent intervention into the affairs of the Solomon Islands, it is in fact an act of neo-colonial aggression to further Australian economic and strategic interests in the region. The Howard government wants to force regime change in East Timor, replacing the government of Prime Minister Alkatiri with one more subservient. The key factor is the control of oil and gas.'

Indeed, I agree with what Hardiker wrote above, and also in his excellent article. But what gets my back up is the fact that Australia is virtually robbing the fledgling Timor Leste and at a time when they really need the finances. Nothing can be done legally to reverse the agreement already reached but a blind man can see that this is blatant and selfish injustice.

Of course these are my opinions only, but I do know there are many more out there who definitely feel the same as I do.