ABC Radio Australia - 01/06/2005

East Timor says 'devil in detail' on resource sharing deal

East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri says key details of a resource sharing deal with Australia remain unresolved, and more talks will be necessary.

His comments came in an interview published in the Portuguese daily Publico.

Mr Alkatiri says while a broad agreement with Australia on exploitation of the oil and gas reserves of the Timor Sea has been reached, the 'devil is in the detail.'

And the prime minster says one or two more rounds of talks will be needed to iron out the problems.

Earlier this week, Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, told Parliament that all the elements of the deal have been agreed and will now go for approval by Cabinet Ministers in both countries.

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