Situation 1
It is 1963. The new nation of Malaysia is about to be created from the states on the Malay peninsula, the islands of Penang and Singapore, and the states of Sarawak and Sabah on the island of Borneo. Most of that island will remain as part of Indonesia (and be known as Kalimantan).
Indonesia has made it known that it will oppose the creation of Malaysia.
The Governments of the states which will become Malaysia have asked for Australian military support against the Indonesian threat.
Decision 1
Do you:
A. Give more commitment to Malaysia?
OR
B. Reduce existing assistance to please the Indonesian Government?
Decision 1 Consequences
| Public Opinion: | People support the new nation, and Australia helping it.If you chose A add 1 point; if you chose B take away 1 point. |
| Allies: | The British would appreciate support, the USA do not want Indonesia upset.If you chose A add 1 point for the British reaction, but subtract 1 for the United States’ reaction; if you chose B subtract 1 for the British reaction, but add I for the United States’ reaction. |
| Region: | Supporting Malaysia would create a good friend in the region.If you chose A add 1; if you chose B subtract 1. |
| Indonesia: | Indonesia wants to see Malaysia weak.If you chose A subtract 1; if you chose B, add 1. |
| Security: | Australia’s security will be strengthened by helping an independent country.If you chose A add 1; if you chose B subtract 1. |
Situation 2
The decision has been made to support Malaysia in its request for military assistance. Military assistance could be through combat troops stationed at the front, who will be involved in direct combat with Indonesians, or it could be through specialist and support troops who can be kept in areas where there is no chance of actually having to fight the enemy, yet at the same time providing valuable assistance to Malaysia.
Decision 2
Do you:
A. Provide non-combat support?
OR
B. Provide combat support?
Decision 2 Consequences
| Public Opinion: | The public will be supportive of any help.A=+1; B=+1. |
| Allies: | Britain appreciates support, the United States would prefer that support was non-combat.A=+1; B=+1. |
| Region: | The more we give, the more grateful a regional partner will be.A=+1; B=+2. |
| Indonesia: | The more we support Malaysia, the less Indonesia likes it.A=-1, B=-2 |
| Security: | The stronger another neighbouring country is, the better for our security.A=+1; B=+2. |
Situation 3
The government policy of providing support troops who are not likely to come into conflict with Indonesian troops is threatened by the increase in Indonesian attacks on border regions in Borneo, and on the Malay peninsula itself. The Malaysian government is worried that if the increasing attacks continue, it will not be able to defend itself. The Malaysian government asks Australia to move its combat troops to Borneo, where it is certain that they will clash with Indonesian troops on the Malaysian-Indonesian border.
Decision 3
Do you:
A. Send them there knowing that it will lead to direct clashes with Indonesian troops, but will help Malaysia remain viable?
OR
B. Keep them in non-contact roles?
Decision 3 Consequences
| Public Opinion: | The public will support both options.A=+1; B=+1. |
| Allies: | Britain will appreciate support; the USA wants Indonesia kept happy.A=+1 -1; B=+1 +1. |
| Region: | The more Australia helps Malaysia, the more it will support Australia in the region.A=+2; B=+1. |
| Indonesia: | The more Australia helps Malaysia, the less Indonesia likes it.A=-2; B=-1. |
| Security: | The stronger Malaysia is, the better is our security in the region.A=+2; B=+1. |
Situation 4
The Australian government has decided to help Malaysia by sending its infantry troops to the border areas in Borneo. The tactics of the Indonesian troops is to come across the border, attack a place, then withdraw before troops can properly get to the place attacked. This means that they are safely back in Indonesian territory before they can be fought. If Australian troops were able to follow the Indonesians across the border and into Indonesia, they would be able to catch them, or at least make it much more difficult for them to organise attacks. It would put the Indonesians on the defensive, rather than being the attackers.
Decision 4
Do you:
A. Have troops stop at border?
OR
B. Authorise them to go across the border, either chasing the Indonesian raiding parties, or attacking Indonesian supply bases and forces before they can enter Malaysian territory?
Decision 4 Consequences
| Public Opinion: | Public opinion will be shocked if Australians enter another country.A=+1; B=-1 |
| Allies: | Britain supports the most effective action; the United States does not want Indonesia upset.A= -1 +1; B= +1 -1. |
| Region: | Support for Malaysia will help create a strong and grateful ally in the region.A=+1; B=+2. |
| Indonesia: | The greater the support for Malaysia, the greater the dislike of Indonesia.A=-1; B=-2. |
| Security: | The more that fighting is done away from Australia, the better it is.A=+1; B=+2. |
Situation 5
The policy of allowing entry into Indonesia is adopted. This means that Australian troops are very successful in reducing Indonesian attacks - so the strategy is winning the war. This would make good publicity for the Australian government, and raise forces’ morale, knowing that they were doing an excellent combat job. But it is against international law to invade another country’s border, and if this were public knowledge, could lead to a lot of protest and opposition at home and abroad.
Decision 5
Do you:
A. Keep secret?
OR
B. Get publicity?
Decision 5 Consequences
| Public Opinion: | Any publicity will be disastrous and divisive.A=+2; B=-2. |
| Allies: | The Allies would all prefer that this activity is kept quiet.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Region: | This will not affect Australia’s place in the region.A=0; B=0. |
| Indonesia: | Indonesia does not want to publicise its invasion of Malaysia.A=+2; B=-2. |
| Security: | This will not affect Australia’s security in the region.A=0; B=0. |
Situation 6
Australia and Indonesia are technically now at war, though it has not been officially declared by either party. There are presently several direct links between the two countries: through diplomatic representatives in each other's country; Indonesian officers are training in Australia, and making useful long-term contacts with Australian officers; and Australia is providing economic aid, and free education to many Indonesians, some of whom will in many years time become influential in all walks of Indonesian life.
Decision 6 (i)
Note: 6(ii) and 6 (iii) later on this page
Do you:
A. Maintain diplomatic relations?
OR
B. Break them off?
Decision 6 (i) Consequences
| Public Opinion: | While people are meeting and talking there is a better chance for solutions.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Allies: | While people are meeting and talking there is a better chance for solutions.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Region: | While people are meeting and talking there is a better chance for solutions.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Indonesia: | While people are meeting and talking there is a better chance for solutions.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Security: | While people are meeting and talking there is a better chance for solutions.A=+1; B=-1. |
Decision 6 (ii)
Do you:
A. Allow Indonesian military officers to keep training at the Australian Staff College?
OR
B. Expel them?
Decision 6 (ii) Consequences
| Public Opinion: | While contacts remain between people, there is a better chance of communication and understanding.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Allies: | While contacts remain between people, there is a better chance of communication and understanding.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Region: | While contacts remain between people, there is a better chance of communication and understanding.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Indonesia: | While contacts remain between people, there is a better chance of communication and understanding.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Security: | While contacts remain between people, there is a better chance of communication and understanding.A=+1; B=-1. |
Decision 6 (iii)
Do you:
A. Maintain aid programs in Indonesia?
OR
B. Stop them?
Decision 6 (iii) Consequences
| Public Opinion: | The aid has no military application, so it is better to keep it going and keep some good will and communications open.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Allies: | The aid has no military application, so it is better to keep it going and keep some good will and communications open.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Region: | The aid has no military application, so it is better to keep it going and keep some good will and communications open.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Indonesia: | The aid has no military application, so it is better to keep it going and keep some good will and communications open.A=+1; B=-1. |
| Security: | The aid has no military application, so it is better to keep it going and keep some good will and communications open.A=+1; B=-1. |
Situation 7
Australia wants to have some commitment from the United States that if there is war in the Asian-Pacific area, it will become involved and support Australia. The United States does not want to become involved in a war against Indonesia, and will not guarantee assistance in a conflict. However, if Australia is prepared to support the United States in its support of the South Vietnamese government against communist North Vietnam, it will be much more likely to come to Australia’s aid if needed.
Decision 7
Do you:
A. Say that Australia will not become involved in Vietnam because it is too far away from our region of interest?
OR
B. Promise to support the USA in Vietnam, even if it means sending troops, including conscripts, there?
Decision 7 Consequences
| Public Opinion: | Most public opinion supports the USA and helping anti-Communist countries.A= -1; B=+1. |
| Allies: | The USA strongly needs this support; Britain will keep out of Vietnam.A=-2; B=+2. |
| Region: | Most countries in the region welcome help against communism.A=+1; B=+2. |
| Indonesia: | Indonesia has no interest in Vietnam.A=0; B=0 |
| Security: | People believe that unless communism is stopped, it will spread throughout Asia.A=-1; B=+1. |