Vol. 547 No. 1
167 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of revelations by former UN Under-Secretary General, Chakravarthy Narasimhana, concerning the 1969 Act of Free Choice, which granted legality to Indonesia's invasion and occupation of West Papua, he will call publicly for a re-examination of the Act of Free Choice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1357/02]
I have noted the developments referred to by the Deputy in relation to the Act of Free Choice of 1969. The Government believes that the best way to address the fundamental causes of tension in Irian Jaya is to follow an approach aimed at promoting greater decentralisation and autonomy. This should be based on dialogue and negotiation between the local representatives and the authorities in Jakarta. The Indonesian authorities must exercise full and proper control over the security forces in Irian Jaya, ensure that the human rights violations of which they are accused are investigated, and the perpetrators prosecuted, and that such abuses are brought to an end.
