ATTACK ON COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 75, 8 January 1949, Page 6

ATTACK ON COUNCIL

Criticism by Australian Member DUTCH DEFIANCE OF ITS AUTHORITY (N.Z.P.A.— Copyright) (Rec. 1.10.) NEW YORK, Jan. 7. Several countries joined in an attack on the United Nations Security Council to-day for its handling of the Indonesian case. The attack was led by the Philippines, Australia and India, and demanded firm action to force the withdrawal of Dutch troops to the positions they held before the fighting in December.

The session of the Council was opened with a Dutch announcement that fighting had stopped and that they had released from house arrest nine Indonesian leaders.

The Security Council wn.s meeting for the first time since its return from Paris.

Mr Makin (Australia) criticised the Netherlands. He told the Council that it could not “play the ostrich and bury its head in the sands of Lake Success oblivious to the defiance of its authority and the continuing threat to peace.” Mr Makin said it was clear that the Netherlands forces did not cease hostilities nor release the Republican President and his principal colleagues, as ordered by the Security Council. Instead the Netherlands continued its advance and even now its troops were continuing to mop up elements of the Republican Army. Mr Makin said that th,e Council clearly could not leave its decisions to gather dust in archives. “Tlie use of force cannot be condoned, nor can It he passed by in silence. Assurances alone are insufficient.” t