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IDENTICAL LETTERS FROM ACTING SECRATARY-GENERAL U THANT TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OF INDONESIA AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NETHERLANDS
15 August 1962
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the note of today's date addressed to me by the representatives of the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, concerning the issue of passports and consular protection during the period of the administration by the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) of the territory of West New Guinea (West Irian), and reading as follows:
"On behalf of our respective Governments, on the occasion of the signature of the Agreement between the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning West New Guinea (West Irian). A,c have the honour to bring to your attention the following agreement arrived at between our Governments and hereby placed on record concerning the issue of passports and consular protection during the period of the administration by the United Nations Temporary Executive Atithority, (UNTEA) provided for in the aforesaid Agreement:
"I. The UNTEA shall have the authorrity, at its discretion to issue travel documents to Papuans (West Irianese) applying therefor without prejudice to their right to apply for Indonesian passports instead ;
"2. The Governments of Indonesia and of the Netherlands shall at the request of the Secretary-General furnish consular assistance and protection abroad to Papuans (West Irianese) carrying the travel documents rnentioned in the previous paragraph, it being for the person concerned to determine to which consular authority he should apply."
"Should the above be acceptable to you. we have the honour further to propose that the note and your reply to the above effect shall be regarded as constituting and placing upon record the agreement reached in this matter."
In reply I have the honour to inform you that I am prepared to instruci the UNTEA, when it is established as provided for in the Agreement between the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning West New Guinea (West Irian), to undertake the function referred to in the note under reference. I would like to take this occasion to request your Government to undertake consular assistance and protection abroad to Papuans (West Irianese) as provided in paragraph No. 2 of the note under reference.
This note and your note under reference shall be regarded as constituting and placing on record the agreement reached in this matter.
Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Siencd) U Thant
Acting Secretary-General
