East Timor is a poor country, and while wealth may not solve some problems it can head off quite a few (clean water, food and the ability to run a government).
Talking of wealth Pape , there have been some problems there .
E.timor is having problems with the petroleum fund , and while the negotiations have resulted in a 50-50 share between Australia and E Timor rather than the original 82-18% share in favour of Australia , it has come at a very high price , it only covers the resources in undisputed areas . Timor is claiming soveriegnty based on distance to shore , Australia is claiming soveriegnty based on distance from the continental shelf .
The price Dili had to pay to get 50% of the revenues from the undisputed waters was postponement of any resolution on the disputed claims until 2055 .
Considering that many of the fields in the disputed areas have an expected production life of 20-30 years its a pretty bad deal for Dili .
But then again , they knew that Australian help in gaining independance would come at a hefty price .