Critical study on the technical aspects of the maritime boundary delimitations

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (East Timor) attainedindependence on 20 May 2002, marking its separation from Indonesia. As a newlyindependent country, East Timor is faced with a number of significantinternational opportunities, together with some obligations that it must fulfil,including the delimitation of its international boundaries. Equally, for Indonesia,with 10 maritime neighbours, the delimitation of maritime boundaries is asignificant challenge.This research aims to provide a preliminary study on the delimitation of theIndonesia - East Timor maritime boundary, with a focus on technical aspects.Geospatial data has been obtained from the Indonesian government and processedwith the assistance of a specialised Geographic Information Systems (GIS)application: CARIS LOTS™. The main tasks of this research are to simulate themaritime claims of Indonesia and East Timor, to identify overlapping claims andto delimit the maritime boundaries between the two states. Technically, potentialdelimitation lines were calculated in a geodetically robust manner.A literature review has been conducted with regard to the principles ofmaritime boundary delimitation, research on similar cases of maritime boundariesand papers discussing the decision/judgement in some other proceedingsregarding maritime boundary delimitation. Existing research and literature areused to support the arguments provided in this current research. The UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, LOSC, provides the main legalreference point, along with relevant state practices and jurisprudence.As to the results of this research, it has been identified that three majorlocations for maritime boundaries are to be delimited. These are in the OmbaiStrait, the Wetar Strait and in the Timor Sea. A number of alternative potentialboundary alignments have also been examined and analysed for the three locations, in the context of future maritime boundary negotiations between thetwo States. However, the results are not the final boundaries that Indonesia andEast Timor have to accept. Ultimately it is for the governments of Indonesia andEast Timor to decide on and negotiate towards an equitable solution that willsatisfy both parties. However, it is hoped that this study will contribute toachieving that goal