PREFACE
The Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations in New York is pleased to offer this document on "The Restoration of Irian Jaya into the Republic of Indonesia". It contains the views and positions of Indonesia on this question from the historical times to the contemporary period.
Such an enunciation has been deemed to be essential due to misperceptions and misunderstandings surrounding the historical, cultural, legal and political grounds upon which Irian Jaya became an integral and inseparable part of Indonesia.
The introductory paragraphs briefly outline the nature of the problem posed in Irian Jaya by a campaign of misinformation. The attention of the readers is drawn to authoritative documents in clarifying several important facts that have become blurred due to the passing of years.
Historical developments dating back to the 10th century and through the colonial period have been traced. The purpose is to establish the linkages between the peoples of the entire archipelago including Irian Jaya.
The contending positions of Indonesia and the former colonial power concerning the political status of Irian Jaya is dealt with in detail as it constitutes the crux of the problem. Attention is drawn to the commitments that were reneged, and consequently, attempts to prevent the reuniting of Irian Jaya with Indonesia on the basis of Indonesia as the successor state of what was once the territory of the Netherlands East Indies, including Irian Jaya.
The New York Agreement of 1962 constituted the legal basis to resolve this question once and forever. It contained provisions to facilitate the act of free choice to be conducted by Indonesia under the auspices of the United Nations. What is generally not understood is the limited role of the United Nations in resolving this dispute, which by nature was a bilateral one.
By exercising the act of free choice, the people of Irian Jaya became reunited with their brethren from the rest of Indonesia. This decision is final and irrevocable.
It is my hope that this document will contribute to a better understanding and appreciation of Indonesia's position on the question of Irian Jaya. Let me avail of this opportunity to thank the overwhelming majority of Member States of the United Nations for expressing their full and unequivocal support to Indonesia's unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
New York, January 2001
(Signed) Makarim Wibisono
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia
to the United Nations, New York
January 2001
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra