The Undeclared, Declassified: West New Guinea and the 1969 Act of Free Choice

This article deals with the ‘Act of Free Choice’ (AFC/Pepera) whereby Indonesia officially took control West New Guinea under auspices United Nations (UN). The event itself place in 1969 as preordained terms York Agreement August 1962 drawn up by US diplomat, Ellsworth Bunker. In both and AFC, Adam Malik was principal Indonesian participant; both, according to his Report, role UN really no more than a bystander. Yet it authority which ultimately provided approval sovereignty outcome AFC. How this came about is evident from close inspection declassified telegrams 1966-1999. Two questions arise: first pertains motivation various diplomats involved, such Bunker, Marshall Green (US Ambassador 1965-69) Henry Kissinger, who were linked Rockefeller mining interests focused on gaining access world’s largest gold mine Guinea; second rights Papuan people inhabitants territory question. written words opinions persons actually involved preparation execution AFC/Pepera, there often compunction disregarding principles, yet willingness, when suits, utilize arbiter international justice.