ANNEX IV

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

(16 June 1962-15 June 1963)

 

15. Agreement between the Republic of Indonesia and 

the Kingdom of the Netherlands 

concerning West New Guinea (West Irian)

 

 

The dispute between Indonesia and the Netherlands regarding the territory of West New Guinea (West Irian) had engaged the attention of the General Assembly from as early as the ninth session. The Assembly showed its concern, but not until 1962 was a solution reached.

In the first half of 1962, following appeals by the Secretary-General, Indonesia and the Netherlands engaged in negotiations with a view to resolving their dispute. At the request of the Secretary-General Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker acted as a mediator and, on the basis of certain proposals put forward by him, an agreement was concluded. It was signed at the United Nations Headquarters on 15 August 1962 and ratified by the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 21 September. The General Assembly took note of the Agreement in resolution 1752(XVII), and authorized the Secretary-General to carry out the tasks entrusted to him therein.

One of the main features of the Agreement of 15 August was the establishment of a United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) to be headed by a United Nations Administrator, who would be acceptable to both parties and who would be appointed under article IV of the Agreement by the Secretary-General. Under the jurisdiction of the Secretary-General, UNTEA would have full authority after 1 October 1962 to administer the territory of West New Guinea (West Irian), to maintain law and order, to protect the rights of the inhabitants and to ensure uninterrupted, normal services during a period of several months until, in turn, the administration of the territory was transferred to the Indonesian Government. The United Nations Administrator was to be assisted by a small group of internationally recruited civil servants and the Secretary-General was to provide UNTEA with a United Nations security force.

 

CEASE-FIRE ARRANGEMENTS

In a related understanding to the main agreement, the two parties agreed to the cessation of hostilities and requested the Secretary-General to provide the necessary assistance to make it effective.

The cease-fire came into force on 18 August 1962. The task of assisting in the implementation of this Agreement was entrusted to Brigadier General Indar Jit Rikhye, Military Adviser to the Secretary-General. He was also responsible for making arrangements for the security force. Six Member States (Brazil, Ceylon, India, Ireland, Nigeria and Sweden) agreed to provide twenty-one military observers to supervise the cease-fire arrangements.

Upon their arrival in the territory, the observers were informed that the Netherlands military command had proclaimed a cease-fire as at 0001 GMT on 18 August 1962, and had ordered their troops to be concentrated in the main garrison towns. After a visit to Djakarta by Brigadier-General Rikhye, contacts were established with the Indonesian troops, and they were informed of the end of hostilities by radio broadcasts and by pamphlets dropped from the air in the areas where they were located. On 21 September, Brigadier-General Rikhye was able to report that all actions concerning the cessation of hostilities, including the concentration of the Indonesian forces, in four main areas, the provision to them of emergency supplies, and the repatriation of over 500 Indonesian detainees had been completed without incident.

 

PREPARATIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF UNTEA

The Secretary-General appointed Mr. Jose Rolz-Bennett, his Deputy Chef de Cabinet, as his Representative in West New Guinea (West Irian) to make preliminary arrangements for the transfer of administration to UNTEA in accordance with article III of the Agreement. On 21 September, after the United Nations observer team had completed its task, the Secretary-General’s Representative arrived in the territory and in co-operation with the Netherlands officials prepared a detailed plan for the transfer of authority to UNTEA on 1 October 1962.  In these consultations, the desirability was emphasized of maintaining essential services in the territory without interruption. It was also agreed that steps would be taken to explain to the population the tasks entrusted to the United Nations, the measures proposed for the maintenance of law and order, and those relating to financial and monetary policies.

 

TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATION TO UNTEA

The transfer of the administration from the Netherlands to UNTEA took place on 1 October, and in conformity with article VI of the Agreement and its related aide-memoire, the United Nations flag was raised and flown side by side with the Netherlands flag.

Before his departure from the territory on 28 September, the Netherlands Governor in a statement before the New Guinea Council appealed to the population to give its support to the United Nations administration.  In messages from the Secretary-General and from the Secretary-General’s personal representative who was designated as Temporary Administrator, the population was informed that UNTEA would endeavour to ensure the welfare of the inhabitants. The Secretary-General expressed confidence that the spirit of understanding and consideration shown by the parties to the Agreement during the period of negotiation would continue to prevail. The Temporary Administrator signed an order effective 15 October granting amnesty to all political prisoners sentenced prior to 1 October 1962.

On 1 October 1962, the Governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands established liaison missions to UNTEA in Hollandia/Kotabaru. They were headed respectively by Dr. Sudjarwo Tjondronegoro and Mr. L J. Goedhart. Close and effective cooperation between the missions and UNTEA contributed to the speedy and satisfactory solution of the many questions which were of concern to either party. An Australian liaison mission replaced one which had formerly served in Hollandia/Kotabaru as an administrative liaison between the authorities of the territory of Papua/New Guinea and West New Guinea, and now provided effective liaison with UNTEA on matters of mutual interest.

The United Nations Administrator, Dr. Djalal Abdoh, was appointed by the Secretary-General on 22 October 1962, under article IV of the Agreement. At the beginning of November he visited The Hague and Djakarta for consultations, and on 15 November 1962, he arrived in the territory to take up his assignment.

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE VII 

OF THE AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE 

OF LAW AND ORDER

(THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY FORCE)

 

 

In response to the Secretary-General’s request, the Government of Pakistan provided a force of some 1,500 men to serve as the United Nations Security Force (UNSF). The Governments of Canada and the United States provided supporting aircraft and crews. Major General Said Uddin Khan of Pakistan, appointed by the Secretary-General as Commander of UNSF, arrived in Hollandia on 4 September for preliminary discussions with the Netherlands authorities and for a survey of future requirements.

By 3 October, an advance party of 340 men of UNSF had arrived in the territory. On 5 October the balance of the Pakistan contingent took up its positions. Also included in UNSF were some sixteen officers and men of the Royal Canadian Air Force with two Otter aircraft, and a detachment of approximately sixty United States Air Force personnel with an average of three DC-3’s. These provided troop transport and communications. The administrator also had under his authority the Papuan Volunteer Corps, the civil police and the Netherlands forces remaining until their repatriation, as well as Indonesian troops, totalling approximately 1,500.

In accordance with the terms of article VII the Papuan Volunteer Corps ceased to be part of the Netherlands armed forces upon the transfer of administration to UNTEA. The Corps, consisting of some 350 officers and men, was concentrated at Manokwari and was not assigned any duties in connexion with the maintenance of law and order. As Dutch officers and non-commissioned officers left the area, they were replaced by Indonesian officers. This process was completed on 21 January, when the command of the Corps was formally transferred to an Indonesian officer and the last Dutch officers left the territory.

During the period of UNTEA administration, the Papuan police were generally responsible for the maintenance of law and order in the territory. Before the transfer of administration to UNTEA, all the officers of the police corps were Dutch, there being no qualified Papuans. By the time UNTEA had assumed responsibility for the territory, almost all officers of Dutch nationality had left, being temporarily replaced by officers from the Philippines who, in turn, were later replaced by Indonesians. By the end of March 1963, the entire corps was officered by Indonesians. However, in accordance with the provisions of article IX of the Agreement, the chief of police continued to be an international recruit.

On 1 October, when authority was transferred to UNTEA, the Indonesian troops in the territory consisted of those who had been brought in by parachute during the Dutch-Indonesian conflict and those who had infiltrated the territory. Agreement was reached with the Indonesian authorities to replace a large number of these troops with fresh territorial troops from Indonesia. It was also agreed that the number of Indonesian troops in the territory would not exceed the strength of the Pakistan contingent of UNSF, except with the prior consent of the UNTEA administration.

The withdrawal of the Netherlands naval and land forces from the territory was effected in stages in accordance with a time-table agreed upon by the Temporary Administrator, the Commander of UNSF and the Commander-in-Chief of the Netherlands forces in the territory. By 15 November 1962, this process had been completed without incident.

The situation was generally calm throughout the period of UNTEA. On 15 December 1962, however, two incidents involving the police and a small group of Indonesian troops occurred in Sorong and Doom. The police constable was killed and four wounded. Order was immediately restored by units of UNSF while the civil administration continued to perform its normal functions. The area remained quiet for the rest of the temporary administration. In general, the inhabitants of the territory were law-abiding and the task of maintaining peace and security in the territory presented no problems. The United Nations Administrator had no occasion to call on the Indonesian armed forces in connexion with the maintenance of law and order but only for the purpose of occasional joint patrols with elements of the Pakistan contingent.

 

 

ORGANIZATION OF THE CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATION

(ARTICLES V AND IX)

 

As required under article IX of the Agreement of 15 August, the eighteen top officials in the administration, namely, the nine directors, the six divisional commissioners, the head of police, the head of the government information bureau and the popular information service, and the head of the broadcasting services were gradually replaced by personnel appointed by the United Nations who were neither from Indonesia nor from the Netherlands. Fifteen posts were filled by the end of October, and the remaining three before the end of the year.

As regards the personnel below the top echelon officials, the departure of large numbers of Dutch civil servants after the transfer of administration created a vacuum which had to be filled rapidly in order to prevent the disruption of essential functions and services. In a few instances, this was accomplished by promoting Papuan officials to the vacant posts. There was, however, a great shortage of Papuans adequately trained for the higher posts. In the circumstances, a skeleton staff required to maintain essential administrative services and functions was organized, consisting of Netherlands officials, who agreed to work for UNTEA, Papuan personnel, and internationally recruited staff. The Indonesian Government was requested to provide urgently a group of civil servants to fill certain high-priority posts. This request covered several administrative departments and prepared the ground for a gradual phasing-in of Indonesian officials whose presence thus facilitated the subsequent transfer of administrative responsibilities to Indonesia.

The Netherlands Governor of the territory and his senior officials assisted greatly in assembling this emergency staff. These efforts were supported by measures taken by the Netherlands Government to induce Dutch officials to remain in the territory to serve UNTEA. The Government of Indonesia also responded with speed to the United Nations request for staff so that the initial group of Indonesian officials arrived only a few hours after UNTEA had taken over the administration.

The influx of Indonesian personnel was accelerated towards the end of February 1963 and increased with the approaching date of transfer of administration to Indonesia. By the beginning of April, fewer than a dozen Netherlands nationals remained while the total number of Indonesians in the service of UNTEA had reached 1600. As regards Papuan officials, at the time of transfer of administration to Indonesia on 1 May 1963, they numbered some 7,600, an increase of approximately 600 for the entire period of UNTEA, thus meeting the requirements of article IX of the Agreement.

The pattern of administration that existed prior to 1 October 1962 was continued during UNTEA with certain minor changes required for greater efficiency.

With the sudden departure of the Netherlands personnel from various judiciary organs and until UNTEA took over the administration of the territory, the administration of justice at almost all levels came to a standstill. One of the first concerns of UNTEA was, therefore to reactivate the entire judiciary. With this end in view, all the vacant positions in the judicial offices were filled by the recruitment of qualified judicial officers from Indonesia. When inducting them into their respective offices, the administrator stressed their responsibility for preserving and safeguarding the rights and liberties of the peoples of the territory.

 

 

RIGHTS OF THE INHABITANTS 

(ARTICLE XXII)

 

The Administration insured, without let or hindrance, the free exercise by the population of the rights referred to in article XXII, paragraph 1, of the Agreement. Moreover, UNTEA courts were to act as guarantors of these rights. In November 1962, on the occasion of the investiture of certain high members of the judiciary in their respective offices, the United Nations Administrator emphasized that “in administering justice within the terms of the Agreement, the UNTEA courts will be constantly called upon to uphold the rule of law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, to ensure respect for human rights, and to preserve intact, as a public trust, the rights and liberties of the people of the Territory”.

In order to ensure the free movement of the inhabitants of West Irian to and from West New Guinea, as contemplated in the Agreement, UNTEA liberally issued travel documents to all who requested them. At the insistence of the United Nations, several Governments agreed to recognize these travel documents and to provide normal facilities to their holders.

No restrictions were imposed during the Administration on the movement of civilians of Indonesian and Netherlands nationalities to and from the territory.

 

REPRESENTATIVE COUNCILS 

(ARTICLE XXIII)

 

At the time of the transfer of authority to UNTEA on 1 October, the New Guinea Council was in session and, in accordance with existing laws, it could be closed only by the Governor and, after 1 October, by the Administrator who replaced the Governor as the Chief Executive.

On 4 December, the members of the New Guinea Council met in the presence of the Administrator and took their new oath of office. The Council’s Chairman, Mr. Th. Meset, and all members pledged loyally to support the provisions of the Agreement and swore allegiance to UNTEA. As it seemed desirable that the members should return to their constituencies in order to explain personally to their constituents the new political situation of the territory, the session was closed on 5 December after consultation with the Chairman of the Council. The United Nations Administrator took the opportunity of addressing the Council personally, thus demonstrating the Administration’s recognition of the Council’s role. A Board of Delegates was left in charge after the end of the session.

During the period of UNTEA administration, a number of vacancies in the membership of the New Guinea Council occurred because of the resignation, departure or absence of members from the territory. On the request of the Chairman of the Council to fill some of these vacancies by nomination or election, the United Nations Administrator, in conformity with article XXIII, signed appropriate decrees appointing two new members to the New Guinea Council. However, no consultation could take place with representative councils since none existed in those districts from which the two members were appointed.

On the request of the Chairman of the Council, the United Nations Administrator opened a special session of the Council on 23 April. The Administrator made a statement to the Council outlining the achievements of UNTEA. The Council remained in session until 30 April when it dissolved itself on 1 May, at 12.31 p.m.

In addition to the New Guinea Council there were eleven representative councils, known as regional councils, in the various districts. On 14 February, the Administrator opened the new regional council at Ransiki, Manokwari, elections to which had been held in December 1962. In his address, he referred to the political changes which had been brought about by the conclusion of the Agreement of 15 August 1962, and gave a brief outline of the Administration’s efforts to ensure the welfare of the population.

The divisional commissioners were specially requested by UNTEA to consult the representative councils in their respective divisions on all important matters, and the Department of Internal Affairs maintained constant liaison with the New Guinea Council, or its Board of Delegates, and consulted it when necessary.

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION ACTIVITY OF UNTEA

(ARTICLE X)

 

The responsibilities of the Administration under this article were largely carried out by the Department of Information and its two main branches, the Popular Information Service and the Broadcasting System. In addition to news releases on the activities of the Administration, the publication of two periodicals and daily broadcasts in English, Malay and Dutch, the Department of Information initiated a special informational campaign to explain the terms of the Agreement by broadcasting special features, publishing texts of broadcasts, displaying posters, organizing discussion groups throughout the territory, and so on.

The United Nations Administrator also toured the territory extensively and took part in all public functions in order to gain first-hand information regarding the situation in the island and in order to have the opportunity of explaining personally those parts of the Agreement which related to the United Nations presence in the territory and the changes that would take place on 1 May. These efforts helped to prepare the population for the transfer of administration to Indonesia, and to inform them regarding the provisions of the Agreement on the question of self-determination.

 

 

THE CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATION

 

 (a)   The budget (article XXIV)

In compliance with the provisions of article XXIV paragraph 2, and pursuant to the arrangements proposed in identical letters dated 15 August 1962 from the Acting Secretary-General to the representatives of the two governments concerning the financial aspects of the administration of the territory by the United Nations, consultations took place between the Secretariat and the representatives of the two governments regarding the preparation of the UNTEA budget. At Hollandia/Kotabaru, a committee composed of the representatives of the two sides met under the chairmanship of the Deputy Controller of the United Nations, and agreed on a UNTEA budget for the period 1 October 1962 to 30 April 1963, which was later approved by the Secretary-General. The entire cost of the operation was borne equally by the two governments through funds made available in advance by them to the Secretary-General and treated as a “Fund in trust”.

As the UNTEA budget committee doubted that UNTEA would be able to collect any revenue, no estimates of income were prepared. The Department of Finance was able to collect, however, by the end of the UNTEA period a total of approximately 15 million New Guinea florins (NGf) in revenues from taxes, customs duties, etc. This was credited to the final budget figure.

 

(b)   Public Health

In the sphere of public health, UNTEA had to deal with an epidemic of cholera which had begun to spread on the south west coast of the island. In this it received invaluable assistance from the WHO, which provided the personnel of a health team and the necessary medical supplies. The Administration was able not only to contain the epidemic within a short period, but also to declare the whole territory free of cholera. The Administration also pursued energetically plans for establishing hospitals and clinics in various parts of the territory. For example, a large hospital at Biak and another one at Wamena, in the central highlands, were completed and put in operation by UNTEA.

 

(c)    Education

In January 1963, UNTEA established an Advisory Council on Education and gave it the task of assessing the educational needs of the territory arising out of the introduction of the Indonesian language and system of education after 1 May and of drawing up a plan for 1963-1964. The Advisory Council discussed its report in the presence of the Administrator and made various recommendations. Since the Advisory Council included the representatives of the Indonesian Government, in addition to representatives of religious foundations and of UNTEA, the results of its work were expected to prove of great value to the succeeding administration. While the Indonesian language was made the medium of instruction throughout the territory as of November 1962, the Dutch language was also to be used simultaneously until the end of the UNTEA administration.

 

(d)   Economy

In the economic sphere, the Administration was mainly concerned with maintaining stability and dealing with a serious unemployment problem, by completing many projects of importance for the economy of the territory, by keeping in check the general price level of commodities and by ensuring adequate supplies for the population. The amount of currency in circulation at the end of the UNTEA administration compared very favourably with the amount at the time of the transfer of authority to UNTEA. It can be generally said that the economic stability of the territory was maintained during the UNTEA administration.

Of the eighty public works projects included in the budget of UNTEA, forty-five were completed at an estimated cost of NGf 18.6 million. At the end of the UNTEA, thirty-two other projects were under construction. The Administration spent over NGf 3 million on these projects and provided all the necessary materials for their completion. It was considered that the continuation of these thirty-two projects would ensure an adequate level of employment in the territory immediately after the termination of UNTEA. With a view to preventing the rise of unemployment upon the completion of these projects, UNTEA, in co-operation with the Indonesian authorities, drew up plans for other similar projects which would be useful for the development of the territory and the welfare of the population. The Indonesian authorities expressed their appreciation to UNTEA, and it was the hope that these plans would facilitate the implementation of future development projects in the territory.

The more important public works projects completed by UNTEA included the ocean wharf and a large hospital at Biak and buildings for the New Guinea Council and the Court of Justice; the extension and improvement of the Sentani airport at Hollandia/Kotabaru and the building of an airstrip at Wamena in the central highlands; and also the rehabilitation and extension of the water supply system at Hollandia/Kotabaru, Biak, Seroei, Fak Fak and Merauke. The Agricultural Research Station at Manokwari, financed by the European Economic Community, was also completed during the UNTEA period.

In a territory where practically all consumer goods have to be imported from the outside, UNTEA maintained a constant watch on the supply situation, with a view to maintaining adequate stocks. To this end, shipping services were maintained by agreement first with a Netherlands shipping company and later with an Indonesian company. Foreign exchange was provided to import buffer stocks of essential commodities and an agreement was concluded to take over and distribute the existing stocks between Indonesian importers and the outgoing Dutch firms.

In addition to dealing with immediate day-to-day problems, much attention was given to the longer-term problems of the territory. Basic data and records were collected for drawing up a plan for the over-all development of the territory.

 

 

POLITICAL QUESTIONS

 

On 31 December 1962, the Netherlands flag was replaced by the Indonesian flag, which was raised side by side with the United Nations flag, as contemplated in the aide-memoire attached to the Agreement.

In the latter part of 1962 and the beginning of 1963, a number of communications from Papuan leaders and various groups in the territory were addressed to the Secretary-General and the United Nations Administrator requesting that the period of UNTEA administration in West New Guinea (West Irian) be shortened and the administration transferred to Indonesia before 1 May 1963.

On 21 November 1962, a joint declaration by the representatives of the New Guinea Council was transmitted to the Secretary-General asking for an early transfer of the administration to Indonesia. A demonstration to the same effect took place on 15 January 1963, when a petition was presented to the Administrator by eighteen political leaders from the area of Hollandia/Kotabaru.

These requests were brought to the attention of the Secretary-General in January 1963 by Dr. Sudjarwo Tjondronegoro, Deputy to the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia and head of the Indonesian Liaison Mission to UNTEA. After consultation with the representative of the Netherlands, the Secretary-General came to the conclusion that, in the circumstances, any shortening of UNTEA was not feasible.

However, the Secretary-General sent his Chef de Cabinet, Mr. C.V. Narasimhan, to consult with the United Nations Administrator and the Government of Indonesia, with a view to facilitating the entry of Indonesian officials into the administration of West New Guinea (West Irian) in order to ensure the continuity and expansion of all essential services, especially those concerning the welfare of the people, and also to help as far as possible to accelerate plans for development of the territory. Following these consultations, Mr. Narasimhan announced in Djakarta that the transfer of administration would take place on 1 May 1963, and that the replacement of Netherlands officials by Indonesian officials would be accelerated. He foresaw the establishment of a United Nations Development Fund for Irian Barat to be used for development projects and the welfare of the population. Contributions to the Fund would be on a voluntary basis by Member States of the United Nations and members of the specialized agencies. (The Government of the Netherlands had already made public its offer of a contribution of $ 10 million a year for three years).

Shortly after Mr. Narasimhan’s visit, the Government of Indonesia informed the Secretary-General that it had decided to reopen diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the ambassadorial level beginning with an exchange of charges d’affaires. On 13 March 1963, the Secretary-General announced that the two Governments had agreed to resume normal relations and to exchange diplomatic representatives.

 

 

TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY TO INDONESIA

In accordance with article XII of the Agreement, the Administrator of UNTEA, Dr. Djalal Abdoh, transferred full administrative control to the representative of the Republic of Indonesia on 1 May, and on that date the United Nations flag was taken down. The Secretary-General designated Mr. C. V. Narasimhan, Chef de Cabinet, as his personal representative at the ceremony. By that date UNSF had been concentrated in Biak preparatory to leaving for Pakistan. The various UNSF garrisons were replaced by incoming Indonesian troops. At the end of April the phasing-in of Indonesian personnel was completed according to agreed plans; 1,564 Indonesian officials were working in the administration and the remaining Dutch officials had left. Each department was taken over by an Indonesian official who had previously worked as deputy to the head of the department.

 

CONCLUSION

In carrying out the task entrusted to him, the Secretary-General was guided solely by the terms of the Agreement of 15 August 1962. The transfer of the administration from the Netherlands to UNTEA and later from the UNTEA to Indonesia was achieved peacefully and without incident. The population was gradually prepared for the changes brought about under the Agreement. Disruption of essential public services and utilities was avoided, and continuity in employment was maintained.

The cost of the operation was underwritten by the Governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands. Both Governments have now paid the full costs in equal amounts.

Furthermore, the smooth implementation of the Agreement hastened the resumption of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands, and the improvement of relations between the two Governments.

The Administration attached great importance to that part of the Agreement which dealt with the rights of the inhabitants. The New Guinea Council or its Board of Delegates was consulted by the Administrator on major issues and on new legislation or amendments to existing laws. Its membership was increased by the appointment of two new members to fill existing vacancies. The United Nations Administrator opened the sessions of the New Guinea Council and of some of the Regional Councils, always stressing the close cooperation between the representatives of the population and UNTEA.

On the completion of UNTEA, the Secretary-General declared that UNTEA had been a unique experience, which had once again proved the capacity of the United Nations to undertake a variety of functions provided it receives adequate support from the Member States of the Organization. Throughout the period of UNTEA, he had been impressed and gratified by the spirit of accommodation shown by the Governments of the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Looking into the future the Secretary-General stated that he was confident that the Republic of Indonesia would scrupulously observe the terms of the Agreement concluded on 15 August 1962 and would ensure the exercise by the population of the territory of their right to express their wishes as to their future. The United Nations stood ready to give the Government of Indonesia all assistance in the implementation of this and the remaining parts of the Agreement.

The Secretary-General also announced that, in consultation with the Government of Indonesia, he had decided in principle to designate a few United Nations experts, serving at Headquarters and elsewhere, to perform the functions envisaged in article XVI of the Agreement. These experts would visit West Irian (West New Guinea) as often as might be necessary and spend such time as might be required to enable them to report fully to him. Before the arrival of the United Nations Representative to be designated under article XVII, their duties would be limited to advising on and assisting in preparations for carrying out the provisions for self-determination, except in so far as the Government of Indonesia and the Secretary-General might agree upon their performing other specialized functions.

In conclusion, the Secretary-General announced that in consultation with the Governments concerned, he had decided to establish a United Nations Development Fund for Irian Barat (West New Guinea) as a “Fund in trust”, and open to contributions from Member States of the United Nations and the specialized agencies. The Fund would be used to finance pre-investment and investment projects in West Irian, acceptable to the Government of Indonesia, and in co-operation with the United Nations technical assistance to Indonesia. Finally, the Secretary-General expressed the hope that many Governments would contribute liberally to this Fund.

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra