Although the Netherlands had insisted the West New Guinea people be allowed self-determination in accord with the United Nations charter and General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) which was to be called the "Act of Free Choice"; the New York Agreement instead provided a seven year delay and gave the United Nations no authority to supervise the act.
Walaupun Belanda menuntut agar rakyat Nugini Barat boleh menentukan nasib sendiri sesuai piagam PBB dan Resolusi 1514 (XV) Majelis Umum PBB dengan nama "Act of Free Choice", Perjanjian New York memberikan jeda tujuh tahun dan menghapuskan wewenang PBB untuk mengawasi pelaksanaan Akta tersebut.