East Timor warns Australia should not underestimate it's anger over spy claims Jose Ramos-Horta says Australia should be more sensitive and transparent. FORMER East Timor president Jose Ramos-Horta says Australia shouldn't underestimate the anger of East Timorese people over allegations of Australian spying. Mr Ramos-Horta, now a special envoy for the UN secretary-general, said he had no idea at the time that Australia would violate their offices. I don't know what Australia can do to restore confidence among East Timorese people or leaders. I hope Australia does not under estimate the anger the disappointment that its bugging ... is causing," he told ABC radio. East Timor has alleged Australian intelligence bugged cabinet meetings during negotiations for an agreement on Timor Sea oil and gas reserves in 2004. East Timor is now seeking arbitration of that agreement and wants it renegotiated. Mr Ramos-Horta said this would be understandable if Australia was spying on North Korea or China or other enemies. "But when you try to listen in to phone conversations of the president of Indonesia, a friendly country or his own wife, or when you spy on a friendly neighbour like East Timor which Australia helped to free in 1999 and which Australia claimed to be a friend, well it really undermines 10 years of our relationship," he said. Mr Ramos-Horta said Australia should be more sensitive and transparent. Australia likes to lecture East Timor and other countries about transparency and integrity in public life. Well this has not been a very good example of transparency and honesty," he said.