Читать книгу Rockefeller & the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi - Kerry B Collison - Страница 15

The Present

London

The crowded Westminster auditorium, filled with politicians, members of the international business community, diplomats, and the media had attracted the attention of intelligence circles.

Indonesian State Intelligence agents from BIN (Badan Intelijen Negara) continued their surveillance on the de facto leader of West Papua’s Government in Exile, Bennie Tabuni.

At the rear of the hall, Anne Whitehead stood alongside Jules Heynneman. When polite applause followed Tabuni’s introduction as the closing speaker, she tilted her head closer to Jules. ‘You need to press him to take the warnings more seriously,’ she said, sotto voce.

Jules turned and whispered in response. ‘Already taken care of … Don’t worry.’

Anne slipped a hand to his elbow and pinched lightly. ‘That applies to you also.’

Jules glanced sideways and winked. ‘I have it covered.’

They then both stood silently listening to Bennie continue his address to the assembly.

‘ … and the primary purpose tonight is to encourage all who support democracy to sign the global petition calling upon the United Nations to revisit the flawed so-called Act of Free Choice, by intervening in Indonesia’s brutal repression, and providing for West Papuan’s legitimate claim for independence.

‘It was not so long ago Parliamentarians from around the world signed up to the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP)’s “Westminster Declaration”, calling on the UN to oversee a new independence referendum. Since that landmark, historic moment, seven countries have collectively voiced their support for our struggle. We thank the people of Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Palau for their contribution towards the formation of the Pacific Coalition for West Papua ... ’

Jules watched Bennie approvingly, pleased with his “adopted” brother’s performance. Although he had attended countless, similar appeals before, Jules still marvelled at Bennie’s capacity to motivate his supporters. Jules had never felt envious of the attention this attracted recognising from the very beginning of their journey together that each enjoyed their own specific skills, and ambitions.

His thoughts wandered, carried to a distant place by the familiar voice at the podium, an image of their childhood village and the family that had raised them as their own, coming to mind.

* * * *

Bennie and Jules’ relationship grew from what set them apart from the other village children. Both enjoyed a mixed, European parentage and physically, they stood tall amongst their village peers. When Natan Tabuni believed the timing was appropriate Jules had been informed of his origins. Bennie, however, was told that he had been adopted immediately following his birth, and that his parents were unknown.

Although the same age as Jules, Bennie assumed the role of elder brother from the outset, the two inseparable companions making their mark scholastically in Jayapura. Under kinship care, Natan Tabuni had arranged through the Council of Churches for both lads to be educated in the city as isolated village schools were inadequately provisioned, with textbooks and quality teachers.

Both had attended the old campus of the Cenderawasih University in Jayapura, again with the support of church foundations that provided scholarships. Bennie had covertly become politically active whilst serving in the provincial government. Jules’ interest in commerce however drove the young men along different paths initially, until they realised that there was a common thread in the direction both were heading.

Applause reverberating throughout the assembly brought Jules back to the present, and again he focussed on Bennie’s address.

‘Even against almost impossible odds with fifteen thousand Indonesian troops stationed across our homeland, the people of West Papua are determined to reclaim the voice that was denied in 1969. If you are serious about defending human rights this is the moment to stand with West Papua. We seek to make up for the mistake in allowing Indonesia to take control almost fifty years ago. We ask that you join us now to support our quest for the United Nations to pass a resolution sponsoring an internationally-supervised vote, to return West Papua to the rightful owners and grant their claim for independence.’

Bennie turned and pointed to the Free Papua Organisation flag, The Morning Star with its white five-pointed star at its centre, spread against the backdrop. ‘The Indonesians imprison West Papuans who fly this flag of defiance. But, proudly, we still do!’

Many amongst the audience had risen to their feet and applauded loudly. Enjoying the response Bennie nodded in appreciation then closed his address. Stepping down from the dais he was engulfed by eager supporters, many already pledging their financial support for his cause.

Anne tugged at Jules’ sleeve. ‘I have to leave for a meeting. I’ll call you at the hotel later to fix a time to catch up in the morning. There’s much we need to discuss before Bennie returns to Amsterdam.’

* * * *

Anne Whitehead gathered her coat, stepped into the cold English night, and hailed a taxi instructing the driver to take her to a Hampstead address. Rain fell heavily and blurred street lighting and buildings in a mesmerising fashion. Anne consciously ignored their passage, concentrating on how she would frame her recommendations to her superior, now awaiting her arrival.

The taxi slowed and came to rest and with each movement of the windshield wipers she caught a glimpse of flashing red lights ahead. When the driver slowly shook his head in exasperation, Anne resigned herself to the delay and called her destination. Settling back into her seat she permitted her mind to take her back in time, reflecting on the origins of her relationship with Bennie and Jules.

Often captivated by her father’s many anecdotes relating to the time he had served with Her Majesty’s Embassy in Jakarta, Anne had developed an early interest in Asia, with a special interest in SE Asia’s archipelagic regions. Armed with graduate degrees in South Asian Studies and Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh, Anne had entered the workforce, engaged by the multi-international behemoth, Anglo American Aerospace Defence Technologies Inc. When an opportunity arose to fill a position with a subsidiary unit in Singapore, Anne had applied and was accepted for the post. During her three-year posting with the company which specialised in the engineering of mining operations, and studying part-time, Anne earned an MBA at the Nanyang Business School in Singapore. It was there she had met and entered into a relationship with the brash, young Julius Heynneman whose trading network across the Indonesian archipelago had earned him the agency rights, for Anglo American Aerospace Defence Technologies Inc. products and services. Their affair was casual, one more of convenience than commitment, and had, over time, developed into a mature relationship that surpassed their sexual liaisons.

Acting on Jules’s invitation to visit the sites across Indonesia where engineering systems designed and installed by the Defence Technologies Group were operating, Anne spent two weeks criss-crossing the vast archipelago, completing the tour by visiting the Akumuga Mine. She recalled how during the West Papua journey Jules had become withdrawn and introspective, and even with her cajoling he had remained reserved and distant. It was not until they had returned to Singapore that Jules revealed the story of his early life, and relationship to the man he accepted as a brother, Bennie Tabuni.

Anne learned of the hardships and opportunities the boys of mixed blood had experienced, appreciating how their fair features had set them apart from the other children. Jules recounted how they had been raised initially in a remote highland village then sent to school in Jayapura, and educated under the patronage of the Council of Churches, the path providing access to university studies. During this period, Jules had explained, both were cognizant that if they were to succeed outside their environment, they would need to become fluent in English. This, they achieved, albeit with noticeable accents, a product of their non-native-speaking English teachers.

As her company’s commercial activities blossomed across the Indonesian mining sector due to Jules’ association, so too had her fondness for both men.

At the outset, Bennie had remained an enigmatic, shadowy figure to Anne. It was not until the following year when Jules arranged a discreet gathering across the Causeway, in Johore Baru, that she had any real one-on-one direct communication with Bennie. It was then that she became aware of the significance of Bennie’s role in Indonesian politics, specifically those relating to West Papua.

Anne recalled her surprise with Bennie’s knowledge of the parent company that indirectly employed her, the Anglo American Aerospace Defence Technologies Inc’s (AAADT). It became evident that his interest lay with the arms and weapons division.

The British-American multi-national had long been a major global arms supplier and via its predominant client, Saudi Arabia, the group had successfully penetrated the Indonesian military market. Due to AAADT’s sensitive operations, both the British and United States’ governments enjoyed oversight positions within the company’s structure. The weapons division operated as a semi-autonomous business unit within AAADT, under the watchful eyes of MI6 who were obliged, but did not always adhere to, sharing operational information with their counterpart, the CIA.

Anne had signed the mandatory Official Secrets Act during the embryonic stages of her career. She discovered how the British conglomerate successfully avoided compliance with mandated sanctions against potential client states or organizations. To circumvent such rulings AAADT often dealt through so-called arms-length operatives such as mercenaries.

Anne understood that the British Government was not alone in its concerns how destabilised Indonesia had become since East Timor won its independence from Indonesia. With an international groundswell supporting a United Nations review on the question growing beyond expectations, AAADT commenced supplying arms to the rebels. The British had commenced the covert weapons delivery via Belgium conduits with an expectation that, eventually, West Papuan independence would become a reality. The AAADT senior executives believed that such an outcome could also improve its current military sales to Indonesia. Looking ahead, AAADT’s projections were that any future, independent West Papua with such natural resource wealth would naturally wish to build a defence force to defend its borders. As AAADT’s weapons manufacturing arm produced an array of armoury along with combat vehicles, missile launchers, artillery systems and munitions, the long-term potential for military sales was substantial.

Anne felt the taxi move forward. She checked the Tag quartz watch on her wrist, frowned, and chewed on the inside of her lower lip, annoyed that she would have to cancel her scheduled hiking event, yet again.

Calling ahead to alert her party that she was on the move again, Anne dismissed the temptation to resurrect further memories of those past, special moments with Jules. Instead, she mentally prepared for her arrival to discuss how her masters, Anglo American Aerospace Defence Technologies together with the British Government, could exploit the relationship she had developed, over some twenty years.

* * * *

Jules remained behind at the event until he was comfortable that Bennie had been surreptitiously escorted by his own security team, to the private address in West Brompton. Satisfied that the Indonesian security agents had been unable to follow, he departed to the discreet accommodations to prepare with Bennie, for their crucial meeting with Anne Whitehead’s masters and their clandestine British Government associates.

Jules was ushered into the two-storey dwelling set in the leafy and tranquil environment where Bennie waited impatiently. He gestured for Jules to approach, handing a stapled document for him to review.

‘The updated version,’ he offered.

Jules moved to a contemporary, living-room chair and commenced reading. Less than a minute passed when he raised an eyebrow and waved the document in Bennie’s direction. ‘We’re moving the timing back again?’

‘Yes,’ Bennie confirmed. ‘Another six months. There’s a problem with double-handling the final shipments from Port Villa.’

‘Will Coleman have the capacity to handle such transhipments?’

‘I’ve already discussed this with him. He’s suggested moving the final delivery to the border staging point as before, then breaking down the volumes for more secure passage into the holding depot.’

Jules locked eyes with Bennie. ‘We were getting close,’ he stated. ‘And I, for one, am losing patience with having to move the deadline back yet again.’

‘We can’t risk jeopardising everything for the sake of a few more months.’ Bennie admonished. ‘And if that means waiting another three, even six months once the final delivery has been completed then that’s the direction we will take.’

The men were under no illusion as to the enormous risk they were undertaking. They recognised the futility in even considering confronting the might of the Indonesian military and, in consequence, their strategy to draw other nations into a border conflict had always been the foundation of their long-term strategy. Indonesia’s four hundred thousand-strong military combined with the might of its hardware would not be challenged directly. Instead, orchestrated guerrilla-tactics had been the methodology, Bennie’s small teams able to strike then disappear, a clear advantage over the invading forces.

Jules’ demeanour reflected his dissatisfaction with another delay. Bennie stepped across from the desk and placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘Let’s see what the outcome is tomorrow then revisit the timing. If the Brits baulk then that would impact on our next move.’

Jules nodded. ‘We should have given Anne some warning.’

‘She doesn’t always need to know the complete picture.’ Bennie pondered momentarily carefully selecting his words. ‘We must be careful, Jules. There’s too much at stake not to be reminded where her first loyalty lies.’

Jules sat thoughtfully before responding. ‘She’s been a good friend. To all of us.’ Bennie’s daughter Alice immediately came to mind.

* * * *

Although Bennie’s concerns for his daughter and only child, Alice, had been alleviated by taking the necessary steps to disguise their relationship very early in life, her safety remained paramount in his mind. As Natan Tabuni and his wife had fostered Bennie, he had assumed their surname prior to leaving for Jayapura to commence schooling. Upon graduation he married Natan’s niece, and was gifted a daughter from that union.

About that time, although a peripheral participant, Bennie had already been identified, along with Natan’s son Markus, for this political activism, their names listed in the Indonesian State’s BIN secret dossiers as agitators, and placed under constant surveillance. During a flag-raising rally which Bennie had been unable to attend, both Natan and Bennie’s wife were amongst the many killed, when BRIMOB elements opened fire on the crowd.

Marcus had been arrested, charged and incarcerated at the infamous Wamena Prison under the provision that outlawed “makar”, or rebellion. Markus challenged the charge, one often used against persons arrested for their alleged participation in, or support for, separatism. His lawyer explained that the crime of makar was listed in Indonesia’s criminal code in a section entitled “Crimes Against the Security of the State” (Kejahatan Terhadap Keamanan Negara) which should not have been applied, particularly as the articles authorise prison terms up to twenty years for the such offences.

The appeal failed.

Sentenced to fifteen years and after serving five of these, Marcus’ assisted escape by boat to Darwin placed him out of Indonesian reach. However, his status in Australia continued to be precarious having not been granted asylum out of political concerns, that such acceptance would jeopardise Canberra-Jakarta relationships.

An accumulation of these events had become the catalyst for Bennie’s commitment to actively support the independence movement, then joining a group involved in armed insurgency, bringing his life and those associated, into extreme danger.

Jules’ wife was incapable of bearing children and, as Alice was but an infant, Jules and Bennie decided to conceal her true parentage. She was given Jules’ family name, Heynneman and Bennie then deliberately distanced himself as her father, passing the role to Jules and his wife, to raise Alice as their own daughter.

Bennie accepted this was but one of the many sacrifices required to ensure her safety. Though saddened that Alice had been deprived of a natural, father-daughter relationship he was relieved that she had not expressed any sense of abandonment as he had sometimes experienced, when the revelation of heritage had finally been explained. The decision to unveil their secret when Alice reached maturity had carried deep reservations. Bennie had prayed that in doing so she would understand the dangerous impediment her father’s name could bring. Bennie’s fears assuaged when Alice had tearfully accepted the rationale and undertaken to maintain the status quo.

The frequency of their contact remained constrained. However, Bennie had never failed to ensure his daughter’s future would not be disadvantaged by the distant relationship. Through Jules he had orchestrated for Alice’s education overseas, grateful for the role that Anne Whitehead had played in achieving this outcome.

Anne had been instrumental in having Alice employed when she graduated from the University of Sydney under the reinstituted Colombo Plan. Graduates who had enjoyed full funding under this programme were obliged to return to their country of origin, and work for a minimum of three years. Encouraged to seek a position with the Akumuga Mine, Alice was now engaged as an on-site systems engineer on the West Papuan site.

Bennie stood and stretched. ‘Anything else we need to discuss as I could really do with a few hours’ sleep?’

Jules rose, slowly rotated his head, until a distinctive “crack” emanated from his neck. ‘Only what the final figure will be to satisfy those usurious customs officials in Belgium.’

Bennie opened his briefcase and locked the documents inside. ‘Guess we’ll find out soon enough.’

* * * *