Like Indonesia, Netherlands West Papua was part of the former Netherlands East Indies. When Indonesia became an independent state, no decision was taken about the future status of West Papua. The Dutch had promised the Papuans an independent state in time, while Indonesia expected it was seen as part of their territory. Elections for a representative council were organised by the Dutch and the Council's inaugurations on 5 April 1961 were attended by Australia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and other Pacific Forum nations with exception of the United States. During the inauguration the morning star flag designed by the Papuan leader Nicolaas Jouwe was raised for the first time.
As Indonesia saw the area a part of Indonesia they started to send troops towards the area, on which the Dutch reacted by sending troops as well. Among them a large amount of Hawker Hunters.
The United States had fear Indonesia would move towards communism and a strong lobby was done in the United Nations to get the administration of West New Guinea transferred to Indonesia. This resulted in the New York agreement signed on 21 September 1962 in which was agreed that the area would be transferred to Indonesia, and according which the UN would monitor the situation for 7 years. However nothing happened after this 7 years and New Papua remained part of Indonesia and the Papuans remain fighting for their independence since.
Two Papuan men, Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage, were
sentenced to 15 and 10 year sentences for raising the Morningstar flag in Jayapura in 2004. Today it is allowed to raise the Morningstar flag, but only in combination with the Indonesian flag, which should be raised higher.
The conflict goes much deeper and is too complex to explain here in a few sentences. And should also be seen in the light of the second world war, in which the Indonesian supported the Japanese and the Papuans the Allied Forces and the whole aftermath should be seen in the light of the cold war.
As this is the Dutch version, or at least more or less what I learned at school, so it could be biased. When I served in the Royal Netherland Air Force I had several close colleagues who had served in Biak. At that time in Biak they were hardly aware what the reason for their presence was and they had a strong feeling they were protecting the independence of the Papuans. Which was the reason why the Papuan flag was painted on the tail of some of these Hunters. As these Hunters were now flying under a "strange flag" this was of course seen as a provocation by the Indonesians and nearly caused an international incident. Therefore 322 squadron was asked not to continue with repainting the tails.
Cheers,
Huub
