1988–96 Foreign Minister Gareth Evans (politician)
evans (left) united states secretary of defense les aspin (right) in 1993.
evans ran significant controversy on 2 major issues: relations indonesia on east timor , french nuclear tests in pacific. evans continues criticised many commentators – prominently noam chomsky , john pilger – supporting australia s recognition of indonesian sovereignty on east timor following military invasion in 1975, negotiating (and celebrating replete champagne ) indonesian foreign minister ali alatas timor gap treaty, , describing 1991 dili massacre aberration, not act of state policy . evans has replied @ length these charges in various forums, acknowledging indonesian military s behaviour had been appalling , conceding australia had been optimistic capacity redemption, arguing, de jure recognition australian (and other) governments had never denied continuing right of east timorese self-determination; had worked hard (as subsequently acknowledged josé ramos-horta) achieve real autonomy east timor realistic option before events of 1997; , independent east timor had inherited benefits of timor gap treaty.
when in june 1995 resumption of french underground nuclear tests @ moruroa atoll announced, evans generated storm of press , public criticism remarking while australia deplored decision have been worse . strictly accurate test series limited in number, , france promised permanently close test facility , join comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty negotiations, politically damaged evans , party.
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