“We are well aware of that, Mr. President, and we are doing everything within our
power to assist you in this crisis.”
“Does this course of action include more troops to assist my government in putting down Ketalaman’s coup?” Kediri demanded.
“It does not, Mr. President,” Van Linden replied levelly. “The commitment levels and the mission of the Regional Intervention Force will
remain as they are now. However, we are fully prepared to give your government
full support in the areas of Intelligence-gathering, logistics, transportation
and communications. Indeed, we are already giving you that support. We will
back you to the limit, Mr. President, but that limit is any active involvement
in your civil war.”
“But we are losing the war on the three principal islands, Java, Sumatra and
Bali!” Kediri protested. “The damn Hindus have driven all government authority from the island, save for
that which is supported by your peacekeeping troops. Ketalaman holds Jakarta!
It’s only a matter of time until there is a total collapse of resistance!”
Van Linden nodded gravely. “We fully agree, sir, and we have been working to develop a resolution to this
situation. We have entered into negotiations that we feel could produce such a
resolution.”
“Negotiations?” Kediri stiffened. “What manner of negotiations and with whom?”
“With a number of the involved parties, Mr. President,” Van Linden said, sidestepping the question. “We believe we may have come up with a course of action that could lead to a
favorable outcome for your government.”
“Why were we not advised of these negotiations?” It was a demand from the Indonesian, not a mere question.
“We weren’t certain how events would develop, sir, and we desired to provide you with a
concrete package before we brought it to your attention,” Van Linden replied. And I didn’t need you jiggling my elbow, Mr. President. Things are difficult enough as is.
“We’ve developed a two-phase plan actually,” the Secretary of State continued before he could be interrupted. “A Balinese resolution and a Javanese-Sumatran resolution. The Balinese resolution can be solely diplomatic and can be in play very rapidly.
“We have opened channels of communication with a number of the most powerful and
respected pedanda of the Agama Tirta leadership. We have explained to them the
true source and intent of the acts of desecration against their religion and we
have provided them with evidence in this matter. So far, they’ve proved receptive to our contacts and they’re willing to use their influence to stop the violence against the Balinese
Muslim population. The Balinese are essentially a people of peace, and this
outburst of bloodshed has become appalling even to them. They are willing to
work with us, Mr. President.”
“In the name of sanity, I should hope so!”
“But,” Van Linden said, “there is also a list of their concerns that they wish to be addressed.”
Kediri’s eyes narrowed. “Concerns? Of what nature?”
“They desire – no, they require – an increased Hindu representation within the National Government and a
semi-autonomous Balinese island administration. They desire that Bali be led by
the Balinese.”
“That is a blow against the central government,” Kediri protested. “That is totally against the spirit of our national policy of Bhinneka Tunggal
Ika!”
“The Balinese leaders that I conferred with brought that subject up.” The corner of Van Linden’s mouth quirked slightly. “They stated that if ‘we are many but all are one’ is indeed the law of the land, and if the Javanese desire to administer Bali’s internal affairs, then perhaps a just solution would be for the Balinese to
administer Java’s internal affairs. Thus, symmetry would be established.”
Kediri’s jaw tightened.
“However, Mr. President, the Balinese also state that, if their proposals are
unacceptable, they are quite willing to consider independence.”
Van Linden adjusted his glasses and looked to the papers on his desk, not giving the Indonesian an opportunity to reply. “To move along to the greater problem of Java and Sumatra. The situation continues in a state of flux on both islands, with scattered elements of the government and rebel forces clashing with no clear-cut dominance as yet established and no fixed territorial lines yet drawn. Some governmental forces are continuing a resistance even around the Jakarta area.
“To date, Ketalaman has established no true dominance over either island. At this
juncture, our military leaders feel that an infusion of fresh government forces
could very well turn the tide and lead to a collapse of the anti-government
rebellion.”
“But we have no fresh governmental forces,” Kediri protested. “We’re fully committed. We have nothing left!”
“Yes, you do, Mr. President. You have a very large force pool, including some of
your best and most reliable ground combat units that can be immediately
committed to the fighting on Java and Sumatra. Your garrisons on New Guinea.”
Kediri shot to his feet. “That’s impossible!”
“No, it is not, Mr. President.” The Secretary of State refused to understand Kediri’s meaning. “The Air Forces of the United States and Australia are standing by to provide all
of the required airlift. The first transport missions can be launched within a
matter of hours.”
“It cannot be done!” Kediri insisted. “Our people are fighting for their lives on Irian Jaya against the Morning Star
revolutionaries. If we withdraw our troops, those savages will butcher our
citizens!”
“We are currently in communication with the leadership of the Morning Star
Movement,” Van Linden replied slowly. “They have agreed to an immediate cease-fire and they have guaranteed the safety
of all Indonesian citizens currently on Irian Jaya. You may withdraw your
forces to deal with the Ketalaman situation without any concern of a massacre.
They’ve given us their word and we feel they can be trusted.”
“And how can you be so sure the word of those barbarians is good?”
“Because they expect something in return, President Kediri. A withdrawal of all
Indonesian garrisons, transmigrasi and government administrators. Also, the
recognition of a free and independent Papuan republic under the Morning Star
flag.”
It took Kediri several sputtering seconds to regain his English. “Unthinkable! Unthinkable! That is beyond all possibility, Mr. Secretary. Do you
realize how many Indonesian patriots lost their lives liberating Irian Jaya
from the Dutch colonialists? That is a sacred island.”
“The Morning Star Movement feels much the same way, Mr. President.” Van Linden lowered his voice. “They have lost a great number of lives as well, seeking to drive out what they
perceive as an Indonesian colonial government. We do not sit in judgment of you
or Indonesia, President Kediri, but the age of colonialism is over, for
everyone.”
“May I ask how you have managed to make these agreements with these … Morning Star leaders?”
“No, Mr. President. You may not. Suffice to say that we have been able to make
these arrangements. They are yours if you chose to accept them. We – that is, the governments of Australia and the United States – believe you should. We desire to see a unified Indonesia survive. We believe
that this is in the best interests of the Pacific Rim nations and of the world
as a whole, and that this may be the best, if not the only, means of rectifying
the current situation. But be advised, sir, should you choose not to accept
this option, we may be forced to accept the dissolution of the Indonesian State
as a fait accompli. Out of national necessity, we may have no choice but to
commence the recognition of the independent island governments of the
archipelago.”
President Kediri stared down at the tabletop for a long time, then looked up,
his worn face expressionless. “It seems I am being left with few options.”
“We have very little time in which to act Mr. President,” Van Lynden said without remorse, “and you have a choice to make. You can lose New Guinea or you can lose
Indonesia. As we say in my country, ‘take it or leave it’.”
The Airwaves over the Indonesian Archipelago
1200 Hours; Zone Time, November 6, 2008
“KGKR calling KGGX, on sched Zulu … KGKR calling KGGX on sched Zulu … The words are Honor … Apple … Tin Pot. I repeat, Honor … Apple … Tin Pot.”
“KGGX replying to KGKR on sched Zulu. I hear the words. I reply Glory … Papaya … Kettle. I reply Glory … Papaya … Kettle.”
“It’s good to hear your voice again, my father Akima. I am pleased to see things go well for you and the Morning Stars.”
