West Papua Information Kit

United Nations

General Assembly Resolution 2504

Recalling its resolution 1752 (XVII) of 21 September 1962, in which it took note of the Agreement of 15 August 1962 between the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning West New Guinea (West Irian),⁴ acknowledged the role conferred upon the Secretary-General in the Agreement and authorized him to carry out the tasks entrusted to him therein,

Recalling also its decision of 6 November 1963⁵ to take note of the report of the Secretary-General⁶ on the completion of the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority in West Irian,

Recalling further that the arrangements for the act of free choice were the responsibility of Indonesia with the advice, assistance and participation of a special representative of the Secretary-General, as stipulated in the Agreement,

Having received the report on the conduct and results of the act of free choice⁷ submitted by the Secretary-General in accordance with article XXI, paragraph 1, of the Agreement,

Bearing in mind that, in accordance with article XXI, paragraph 2, both parties to the Agreement have recognized these results and abide by them,

Noting that the Government of Indonesia, in implementing its national development plan, is giving special attention to the progress of West Irian, bearing in mind the specific conditions of its population, and that the Government of the Netherlands, in close cooperation with the Government of Indonesia, will continue to render financial assistance for this purpose, in particular through the Asian Development Bank and the institutions of the United Nations,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General and acknowledges with appreciation the fulfilment by the Secretary-General and his representatives of the tasks entrusted to them under the Agreement of 15 August 1962 between the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning West New Guinea (West Irian);

2. Appreciates any assistance provided through the Asian Development Bank, through institutions of the United Nations or through other means to the Government of Indonesia in its efforts to promote the economic and social development of West Irian.

1813th plenary meeting,
19 November 1969.

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⁴Ibid., Seventeenth Session, Annexes, agenda item 89, document A/5170, annex.
⁵Ibid., Eighteenth Session, Plenary Meetings, 1255th meeting. para. 71.
⁶Ibid., Eighteenth Session, Annexes, agenda item 20, document A/5578.
⁷Ibid., Twenty-fourth Session, Annexes, agenda item 98, document A/7723.

Web-author comment: It seems noticeable that the above,
does not claim the "Act of Free Choice" was a referendum;
does not claim the "Act of Free Choice" complied with UN GA Resolution 1514;
does not claim the "Act of Free Choice" complied with UN GA Resolution 1541;
does not claim the "Act of Free Choice" complied with the terms of the New York Agrement.
It only says, something calling itself the "Act of Free Choice" was conducted, and that neither the Netherlands or Indonesia were objecting to their own conduct. There is no acknowledgement that people of West Papua are human bengs with legal rights not have foreign governments make dictates without their consent.

The effect of this UN Resolution was to benefit the Freeport and Bechtel corporations while also trying to protect U Thant from future arrest and conviction for his criminal conduct causing the occupation and suffering of West Papua.