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1828: Dutch claim natives of western half of New Guinea as subjects of Netherlands' king.

1949: Dutch cede Dutch East Indies to Indonesian Republic, but retain West Papua. No, it's already ours, says Indonesia.

1950s: Anti-Dutch sentiment in Indonesia drives Dutch people out.

1961: With Dutch support, elections held for West New Guinea Council. On December 1, the council is installed and the territory is renamed Papua. Netherlands and Indonesia both fail to have their plans for the territory ratified by UN.

1962: Small invasion by 1500 Indonesian military. US, with UN backing, tries to broker settlement. New York Agreement, signed on August 15, does not guarantee West Papuans a referendum on independence. Indonesia continues to run West Papua.

1968: Small UN team arrives to assist with the previously agreed "exercise of free choice".

1969: At eight consultative council meetings, West Papuans unanimously vote for Indonesian rule. But the voting is condemned by Ghana and other nations as a sham.

1999: West Papuan independence leaders meet Indonesian Government in Jakarta and demand Indonesia leave the territory.

2000: Papua Council and Presidium created. Indonesian presidents Wahid and successor Sukarnoputri oppose independence, but propose more "autonomy".