19 March 2001
Source: http://www.nrc.nl/W2/Lab/Papoeas/brief.html (Dutch)

English translation by Anonymous.

-- SECRET --

Merauke, 8th of May 1969

MILITARY COMMAND
TERRITORY XVII

TJENDERWASIH

MILITARY COMMAND RESORT
-172

__________________________________________________

Number: R-24/1969

Status: Secret

Enclosures: --

Re: Securing Referendum of Merauke

To: The Sir REGENT

In his function as member

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP CONSIDERATION

ADMINISTRATION MERAUKE

Concerning the huge possibility, that in the moment of the combining, of the council of discussion, about the referendum (DEMUS PAPERA), I have not yet returned from my journey, I give you the following guidelines to ensure the referendum (PAPERA) is won.

Before I explain these guidelines, I have to include an explanatory note, which is, on 7th of May I had a visit from the gentlemen SOMAR and FOBIT who asked my opinion, as head of the regional leadership consideration. They asked if the manner in which the candidates for the DEMUS PAPERA where appointed, differed from the procedure, established by the support council located in Jayapura. They explained that the support team established the following procedure:

1. The number of members of the DEMUS PAPERA (175) first has to be subtracted from the members of the governing council (DPD) and the rest has to be combined as follows: a. 50 percent have to consist of representatives of social and political organisations; b. 25 percent of representatives of regional groups and c. the remaining 25 percent must consist of traditional leaders.

2. The methodology described above calms anxiety about the possibility of loosing the PAPERA. As I understand it, this anxiety is a product of the conditions which exist elsewhere in Irain and in general are not very favourable for us.

Concerning this, I was told, the starting point has to be that the PAPERA must be won, but not especially to fulfill the resolutions as written down in the treaty of New York. I do not completely agree with the spirit of seeing it this way.

When we compare the above mentioned observation of the support team with our current procedure there is no difference in principle. Because we went to work, from the start, with great vigilance, with the highest aim that the PAPERA will be won, by applying all means and efforts. Because of these stated considerations, I give below, the general guidelines to secure the referendum and to ensure an absolute victory.

1. In the period the council is combined (15th May up to 28th June 1969). In selecting the members of the DEMUS PAPERA, we must exclusively judge the members individually. The starting point has to be that their loyalty towards the republic of Indonesia can be guaranteed.

2. Only after we have established, from person to person, who can be trusted, we settle their status, that means if they are to represent the governing council, social and political organisations or as traditional leaders.

3. Concerning the above two points there are two possible outcomes.

First, the number and power proportion among the three stated before elements, is equal.

Second, the number proportion is in agreement with the wishes of the support team in Jayapura. In this, besides not essential question, one can go ahead with what is required, or possibly, resolution no.1, about the PAPERA, can be altered or withdrawn.

4. After this the formation of the delegation is carried out by the regional governing council (MUSPIDA), in the first instance in rough draft. You (as Regent) are the chairman of the Composition Commission DEMUS PAPERA and you direct the Composition, in debate with the other members of the Commission, in accordance with this concept.

Furthermore I propose the following steps be prepared for problems:

1. The technique of discussions by the DEMUS. I propose that in every group, (of the three elements) only one person does the talking.

2. The council can consist of the three named groups or divide into several groups. This I leave to be your discretion. Bearing mind, big as well as small number of groups have their pros and cons.

3. The discussion within the groups (amongst group leaders and members) can best take place while the members of DEMUS are busy determining their point of view (in the period 28th June to 10th July period).

4. In case, during the "polling" (determination of point of view) there develops a necessity for a replacement of members of the DEMUS, this can best take place before the official discussion when there is no normal reason (illness, emergencies) for this replacement. While on the other hand, it is certain that members have to be replaced, one has to have the courage to employ non-normal methods to remove the members in question before the official discussion takes place, so as not endanger the winning.

5. One has to be ready to take counter measures outside the conference (building), to face up to eventual activities of the masses, that do not agree with us winning the PAPERA.

6. Concerning the mission of Ortiz-Sanz: one has to take as a measure, that he is an adviser and assistant of the government of the republic of Indonesia and not a mediator. Because of this reason he has to stick to the rules which are in force here.

To come to the end I want to summarise this letter as follows:

We must absolutely win this referendum, in a normal as well as in a non-normal manner. That is why I hope, as head of the regional leadership consideration (Muspida) in the carrying out of the common handling find a high degree of sociability, so the discussions can take a smooth course and will not be misguided by matters of unsuitable nature.

So far. May God the Almighty make our wish be fulfilled.

Military Commander Resort 172/ Tjenderwasih
In his function as head of the regional leadership consideration in the district Merauke

(Signature and stamp commander)
SOEMARTO
Colonel of infantry-NRP.16716

C.c. (Members of the Muspida Merauke)

1.Chief of Police Resort 2106/Merauke
2.DANKOSUBMARSIONAL/Merauke
3.DANLANU/Merauke
4.Public Prosecutor, Merauke
5.Head of the district court, Merauke
6.Archive (5,1,SET)

______________________________________________________

Annotations

PAPERA = Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat (referendum)
DEMUS = Dewan Musyanwarah (council of discussion)
Muspida = Muyawarah pimpinan daerah (regional leadership consideration)
NRP = Nomor perwira (commissioned officer's number)

The words in the original, which are underlined, are in this document in Capitals.