Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 9 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to propose that the UN review the Act of Free Choice in West Papua; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to propose that the UN review the Act of Free Choice in West Papua; and if he will make a statement. [197710] Mr. Alexander: The UK has no plans to make such a proposal. In November 1969 the UN General Assembly discussed the report of the special representative who oversaw the implementation of the Act of Free Choice. A resolution was adopted to take note of the report and the fulfilment of the responsibilities of the Secretary- General under the 1962 Dutch/Indonesian agreement. 84 member states voted in favour, none against and 30 abstained. Any re-evaluation of the status of Papua is a matter to be resolved peacefully between the Indonesian Government and the people of Papua. The British Government, together with other members of the international community, stress to the Indonesian authorities the need to fully implement the 2001 Special Autonomy law for Papua. This law allows for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Committee to look at the incorporation of Papua into Indonesia in the 1960s.

Secondary information