Page 576 - Le Operazioni Interforze e Multinazionali nella Storia Militare - ACTA Tomo I

576 XXXIX Congresso della CommIssIone InternazIonale dI storIa mIlItare • CIHm

Mandala Operation: the encourage factor of West Irian
dispute accomplishment in 1962

I Wayan Agus APRIAnA

CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION
1. General.
est Irian was a region in the eastern part of Indonesia which is directly adjacent
W to the country of Papua New Guinea. This territory after the Dutch colonialism
era in Indonesia had been a source conflict between both countries.
rd
The Round Table Conference was held in Den Haag on August 23 to November
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2 1949. One of the decisions agreed that the accomplishment of West Irian dispute
will be finished one year after the transfer of sovereignty. But in reality, both countries
did not face deal for years. Indonesia strongly assumed that West Irian was former
territory of Dutch East Indies which must take over to Indonesia based on the deal.
Meanwhile the Dutch assumed that West Irian was under-developed region which need
their arrangement till the time for self-determination. As the deadlock of negotiation,
Indonesian government decided to put in military way for liberation of West Irian.
All plan, process, preparation, and the execution of military way to support the
integration effort of West Irian to Indonesia was an interesting topics to be written.
Dealing with the great goals to be achieved, the mobilization of military power should
be a great joint and combined operation, including mobilized all national potentials
of Indonesia. How the end and the action of military in dealing with the government
decision to finish this dispute were important for evaluation to military institution.

CHAPTER II - TRI KOMANDO RAKYAT AND THE FORMING OF THE MANDALA COMMAND

2. Military Preparation.
Because of political decision of the Indonesian government to include military for
suppressing the process of negotiations with the Dutch, the Indonesian Armed Forces