Guinea Crisis (PJW)

The Guinea Crisis was a major military confrontation in Southeast Asia primarily between SEATO and Indonesia regarding the future of Malaysia.

The strengthening of the western Southeast Asia Treaty Organization and the establishment of the communist People's Committee for Southeast Asia had escalated tensions within the region. President Sukarno of Indonesia, positioning himself as the non-aligned champion of southeast Asia, moved to reunite the island of Guinea, the western half of which was held by the Netherlands. When the Netherlands refused, Sukarno ordered strikes on Dutch positions. Sukarno couldn't afford to back down at this point; his power rested in the hands of the Communist Party of Indonesia in the military; calling off his reunification would enrage both.

The British, fearing an Indonesian victory in Guinea could lead to further confrontations over British Malaysia such as in Borneo, backed the Dutch. Australia and several other members of SEATO came to Britain's aid, and Sukarno was forced to move against the alliance. Initial military strikes proved ineffective against SEATO.

In desperation, Sukarno turned to PCSA and gave more power to the Communist Party. This, along with further military defeats, angered the army. With the aid of SEATO and the CIA, General Suharto overthrew Sukarno and the Crisis came to an end.

Suharto, with the army and foreign aid at his back, conducted a widespread purge of the Communist Party and political opponents, killing roughly 800,000 people. British Prime Minister Anthony Eden, citing health concerns, resigned shortly after the crisis concluded. The crisis cemented SEATO as a regional power in the area.