Telegram 542A (652) to US Embassy Jakarta, 15 September 1965

=== [PDF page 1] === Forei gn Servi ce of t h.e T1E1L1E«JJill 0 u T G 0 ING AMEMBASSY DJAJ.WlTA United States of America 00.MM [Unreadable] CHRON A1lB CON Fl DEt4 Tl A l OCite: §ept 15, 1965 DCM 5:30 PM POL ACTION: SECSTATE WASHINGTON 652 POL EOON INFO: AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 47 AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 20 REF: A. Embtel 636 (NOTAL) B. Embtel 641 (NOTAL) 1. Dutch Protestant J.lissionary just arrived from lJanokwari area of West lrian today discussed Lovestrand case, Papuan rebellion and future prospects for foreign missionaries in area with Emboff. 2. Lovestrand Case -- In discussing events which in eyes Indo officials cast suspicion on Lovestrand in particular, Dutchman recounted same factors noted by Lovestrand himself (para 5, Ref.A), except that more emphasis placed on latter's daily trips between home and town during period of Evangelical Alliance district meeting. At this period rebels were interdicting road and forc i Bner -1.diers were suspicious that this~~ could Classification T111 "Ir l'lucll" •flll' tlll Mllrta. •ll tllt •1111 -lier. FROM THIS COPY IS NOT AUTHOaw:D 8tllllH ta 1111 Dellll'tlllnt an Ill dl..ud t. lllUCh (......,lalt It 1111 cluslftcati111 fl till •HS&tt) witlllut === [PDF page 2] === Foreign Service of the Uni t ed St at es of A'm eri ca OUTGOING OONFIDENTIAL DCite: apparently travel with impunity whereas if they ventured on road they would be shot. 3. Other Missionary Detentions Report that Dutch Catholic Priest Vandenberg (para 5, ref B) also arrested was confirmed. Vandenberg located in Sukarnapura and not resident Manokwari area. Present whereabouts or status his investigation unknown. 4.?Janokwari Rebellion -- Talk of open rebellion by Papuans had begun as early as March 1965. In early June Indo authorities intercepted Papuan leaving for Australian side with Free Papua declaration signed by many prominent Papuans in Mano.kwari. Ensuing police sweep arrested most Papuan civil servants and functionaries in area. 5. First armed action occurred July 26 in valley near Manokwari. Three soldiers raising flag at morning colors were shot and flag hauled down. lndo reaction was brutal. Soldiers next day sprayed bullets at any Papuan in sight and many innocent travelers on roads gunned down. Bitterness thus created:tkKK not easily healed. Fighting OONFIDENTIAL UNLESS " UNCLASSIFIED" REPRODUCTION Classification FROM THIS COPY IS NOT AUTHORIZED roa• FS-411 "Singlt-addms •tsSIOtS le tilt DtPll'tllent can lit di•trted b pouch I apprvpriatt le the classification ti the 11usa•e J without rwtni... TJPI "IJ Pouch" after tlw addms, •It tht w ial nu•ber. and pouch in Mttlope •lrtM "For DC/T"• === [PDF page 3] === Foreign Service of the United States of America OUTGOING CONFIDENTIAL Date: -3at times rather widespread in ensuing days but rebels never assaulted?danokwari itself. Missionary had impression casualties on both sides quite heavy. Rebels used mortars in addition to small arms and active fighting not quelled until arrival major army reinforcementsx from outside area. While Manok-wari now quiet again on surface, tensions high and relations between Indos and Papuans now less reconciled than before rebellion broke out. During rebellion there much loose talk that if Papua free then Netheriands, Australia and USG would provide economic aid to develop country. 6. Missionary Prospects in West Irian -- Dutchman said political tensions making it increasingly difficult for all foreign missionaries, but especially for Americans, since military and lndo petty officials are imbued with steady diet anti-American political propaganda. Easy relationship and respect between Papuans and missionaries also resented by Indonesians, who have not been able to gain respect local people themselves. When foreigner OONFIDKNTIAL UNLESS "UNCLASSIFIED" REPRODUCTION Classification FROM THIS COPY IS NOT.AUTHOBIZU> ''lhlalt-addnst •tssa.~ t1 U..!l'lll'tlltnt an llt diwtrtld te peuch <•PP'Ollfialt te tlll cluslllcatian ti tlll •tssa•tl without [Unreadable] === [PDF page 4] === Foreign Service of the United States of America OUTGOING CONFIDENTIAL -4- Date: greeted pleasantly by Papuans on streets this resented by soldiers. Papuans in turn resent it if missionaries greet Indonesians in public. Thus foreigners caught in which in middle. Frustration of role/Indonesians find themselves in~ West lrian is exacerbated by example of white missionaries who are increasingly feeling effect of resulting Indo mistrust and dislike. While reluctant come to conclusion about future, Dutchman indicated he felt.Ainericans at least had only limited period of useful work left to them in West Irian before they would be forced by harassment and incidents to withdraWll unless change comes in political orientation of Djakarta. GREEN PU.: RGt,r:ds Sept. 15, 1965 CONFIDENTIAL UNLESS "UNCLASSIFIED" REPRODUCTION Classification FROM THIS COPY IS NOT AUTHORIU:O ''Sillll•-lllclns•..,...., t1 the Departlllnl con M di•ert• ta......., 11...,,.prialt 111 thl cla11lllcalion rl Ult •tsSl'lt) withlut...,_ _ Tr" "Ir Pwdl" alter the -.Sms. •It tM wial number, ml ~ in -10111 •an.I "Fer DC/T". === [PDF page 5] === NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHIVE National Security Archive, Suite 701, Gelman Library, The George Washington University, 2130 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20037, Phone: 202/994-7000, Fax: 202/994-7005, nsarchiv@gwu.edu