The Timor Man (21 page)

The Air-Force officer paused, taking a glass of water, before he continued.

“As we are all too painfully aware, should Indonesia, or any other foreign force attempt to enter Papua New Guinea, then the Australian people would be obliged to send troops in to protect the country.

“There is also a high probability factor that the Indonesians are testing our resolve by positioning armaments along our northern corridors and may even be willing, God forbid, to push into Papua New Guinea if we appear to be overly receptive to their move.

“These, gentlemen, are the questions that this meeting must address and,” he added, “ask ourselves, why the Indonesians are sending weapons into the area, and what is their strategy behind utilizing these newly sourced arms supplies which have shown up during our own reconnaissance checks.”

There was stunned silence. The soft hum of the air-conditioning became evident as those present were struck by the import of what had just been imparted to them.

‘No,'they all thought, refusing to accept the information, ‘it was just not possible!'

Although the Chiefs-of-Staff had been briefed, none had actually paid any real credence to the initial reports. All present now knew that it was time to re-evaluate their earlier appraisals.

Again, they had been caught by their own complacency! They had erred by basically arriving at the same conclusion as the first scenario had offered, that small groups of armed tribes people were being supported by external interests. This is what they preferred to believe as this option was more palatable. However they had not been convinced that there was any real threat just because the Indonesians were pouring significant numbers of troops and equipment into the area. The possibility that the Indonesians themselves were positioning armaments from non-traditional sources and suppliers with the intent of a possible swing across the border was, to say the least, unthinkable!

“Why would the Indonesians not just send their own equipment in, assuming you are correct, instead of purchasing additional supplies?” inquired the Admiral. “Surely they could justify such a move?”

The Army General decided it was time for him to assume the role of senior spokesman.

“Obviously this is part or could be part of the overall deception.” The General continued. “Should their strategy be to infiltrate across the territorial lines terrorizing the inhabitants of the disputed border villages then they would be clever to use weaponry not associated with the ABRI, or Indonesian Armed Forces, as this would suggest an intrusion by yet a third party which, in itself, the Indonesians would claim as being provocative and maybe then march in under such a pretext to protect their borders!”

The veteran was enjoying himself. In fact, he almost relished the thought of the possibility of an Australian military intervention.

“The Indonesians have maintained for some time that they believed that both West Irian, or
Irian Barat
as they call it, and Papua New Guinea will eventually become targets for communist subversive elements,” he lectured.

“It is possible that the Indonesians will use the weapons themselves to incite some of the border tribes in an attempt to frustrate the plebiscite, push these ignorant indigenes across the New Guinea border and then rush after them as part of a terrorist sweep.”

The General paused for the greatest effect. “Then, with great difficulty, we would be involved in two police actions simultaneously,” he warned referring to the Vietnam commitment the Australian politicians had so foolishly entered into.

“Are you telling me that a second-rate, uneducated, third-world bunch of coconut eaters have the ability to sit down, plan an excursion into a neighbouring country with the forethought to embroil Australia deliberately into a regional military mess such as the scenario you have just suggested?” snapped the Prime Minister testily.

“May I suggest, gentleman, that at this time we do not have sufficient evidence to substantiate the conclusions or possible outcome suggested here today,” intervened the A.S.I.O. Director.

“Then what do you propose?” demanded the statesman.

“If I may ...?” the Air Marshall offered.

“Let's hear it then,” the politician sighed, feeling the murky grip of this one already around his ankles.

“Prime Minister. We don't have the resources to keep track of the weapon movements. Nor would we have the materials nor the supplies to support a prolonged and systematic campaign of aerial and ground surveillance over the next nine months leading up to the plebiscite. My recommendation is that we inform theAmericans if they don't already know and request satellite surveillance. In the meantime, we should endeavour to ascertain more concerning the source of supply of the weapons and develop some strategy to either prevent further shipments or at least, slow them down.”

The Air Force officer completed his last sentence by first raising his hand and then slowly pushing it down demonstrating how he would resolve the supply flow.

“Shouldn't the Ambassador in Jakarta make some attempt to determine the extent of the Indonesian military's involvement?” suggested the Admiral.

“That will be attended to,” warned the Intelligence director.

The last thing this agency wanted was some career diplomat identifying an opportunity to ingratiate himself with the Minister, yelling insults at Adam Malik, Indonesia's Foreign Minister.

The Australian Intelligence Agency, ASIO had no charter to operate overseas and was, to some extent, similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These delicate matters of foreign inquiry were best left to those authorized.

The Prime Minister examined the faces of the men around him. He felt a wave of tiredness beginning to creep up from his feet indicating that he was not convinced that they had resolved the major problem, merely postponed the hard decisions. Still, he thought, that was how one often survived. Do nothing, appear to be doing everything and most party observers would applaud the non-decision making process as an integral survival tactic of the politician.

“Keep me informed,” was all their leader demanded which indicated the end to the security discussions.

As the group departed, the Prime Minister indicated with a cursory nod that he wished the Intelligence director to remain.

Alone, the Prime Minister commenced issuing his instructions to one of Australia's most powerful non-public departmental heads. Unlike many other western nations, the head of Australia's Intelligence Service was not approved by consensus but more appropriately, by selection,
in camera
, of the most qualified candidate. He was responsible personally to the Attorney-General. It was not unusual for the Prime Minister to communicate directly with the powerful director.

“What do you really think?” he inquired, the tiredness in his voice apparent.

“The Chief-of-Air-Staff is a good man. Sensible. I would go along with his suggestions for the time being,” the Director advised.

“Is there something else I should know?” the politician asked challenging. “You didn't appear convinced that we understood the real substance of the reports.”

It was always difficult when asked for opinions relating to information collected by the intelligence gathering apparatus. So often the information was just a red herring; and yet, more often than not, when there was detail such as he had examined but not released to the other departments in relation to these arms shipments his sixth sense warned him, as it had in the past, that there was a subtlety behind the strategy that they had missed.

“It's tricky. We are missing something but it eludes me,” he explained. “I just can't put a handle on why the shipments are coming out of Timor through Indonesian waters when it would have been far more expedient to dispatch via the Philippines if there actually is third party involvement and, if not, why not just move it directly from one of the closer ports?”

“The Americans are probably still our best bet for a quick answer. In the meantime I will arrange to activate one of our operatives.”

“Don't get caught!” instructed the politician not comfortable that they were exceeding the organization's charter.

The Director smiled weakly. “We won't,” he responded realizing that he had included the Prime Minister in his undertaking.

 

That evening the Prime Minister attended a formal state function and noticed the Indonesian delegation across the room. He was tempted to orchestrate an encounter but his political experience warned him to wait for developments to occur.

“Damn the little bastards,” he muttered under his breath before turning his thoughts to the argument taking place behind him regarding the Second Test cricket series.

 

Merauke — Irian Barat
Indonesian New Guinea

 

The weapons were moved out of the safe houses during
fajar
as this was when the villagers were least observant, engrossed in going about their own morning ablutions. This had been the eighth load, as the inventory had to be broken down into manageable shipments. Another four, maybe five days and the entire group could vacate the premises pending the next cargo's arrival.

“
Awas, lu!
” the leader warned as the heavy box containing South African semi-automatic rifles began to slip from the lead man's grip. “
Cepat, cepat
,” he urged, encouraging them to hurry. The team of Timorese struggled and groaned as they carried the crates out to the waiting vehicle. “
Cukup dulu
,” enough, the leader hissed, “
kunci pintunya dan jaga baik-baik!
” ordered the Javanese, to ensure that the security locked the premises and guarded the armoury well.

“
Besok saja kembali
,” he advised, undertaking to return the following morning. The dilapidated four wheeled drive Russian version of the American A-2 Jeep then departed, carrying the officer and the remaining two team members.

They headed east for an hour and then stopped. Another vehicle was waiting for them. The weapons were transferred to the other vehicle. The men all worked silently.

No one spoke. This had been one of their instructions, and the teams now always adhered to their leader's orders. They had all witnessed the execution of two of their number for ignoring orders. Before departing from Dili they had been warned. Now they obeyed. The transfer completed, the men returned to town and slept in the
losmen
, remaining in their rooms until being called.

They repeated this procedure over the following four days until the
gudang
was empty of any remaining evidence that weapons had been stored there. On the fifth day they boarded a small coastal freighter and returned to Dili. There were now seven thousand rifles stored in twenty hidden armories throughout the New Guinea border area.

 

Jakarta

The Ambassador was furious. The Military Attaché had,
en passant
, mentioned the visitor to the Head of Mission. He had not been informed. As ambassador he had absolute authority over all communications and any other activities which involved the Australian Embassy in Indonesia. He dictated a strongly worded message and instructed his secretary to ensure that the Communications Centre expedited his inquiry at level one traffic priority. The response to his tirade was immediate.

 

MOST SECRET

 

FROM: MINISTER EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
.
FOR: ADDRESSEE ONLY
.
ADDRESSEE: AMBASSADOR/AUSTEMBA/JAKARTA/INDONESI
A
YOUR COMMUNICATION RECEIVED AND APPRECIATED. YO
U
ARE TO ASSIST IF REQUESTED AND SUPPORT THE INITIATIVE ACTIVATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT
.

 

THIS AUTHORITY ORIGINATES DIRECTLY FROM THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE AND YOU ARE FURTHER INSTRUCTED NOT T
O
ENTER INTO ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATION REGARDIN
G
THE SUBJECT
.
COURIER DIRECTED TO NON-DIPLOMATIC RECIPIENT
.
MESSAGE ENDS
.

 

EXAFF/REF/PM
CODE:173224. NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT REQUIRED.

 

MOST SECRET

 

John Anderson had not ventured into the field for some considerable time. His seniority and knowledge of the subject matter demanded his personal participation. The director had no choice but to elect to keep this particular activity strictly covert in nature. The Prime Minister was explicit. He would accept no responsibility should it fall, as they say, ‘off the tracks'. He had slipped surreptitiously out of Canberra, travelled via Hong Kong and Bangkok and was now in Indonesia. Upon arrival at Kemayoran Airport, Anderson went immediately to the old Hotel Duta and used the archaic telephone. Reaching his party he delivered guarded instructions for the meeting then, settling back in the rotan chair, removed his tie and waited.