UNO VIEWS ON INDONESIA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24798, 12 February 1946, Page 5

UNO VIEWS ON INDONESIA

Russians Support Complaint “STATE OF WAR” SAID TO EXIST

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) _, „ LONDON, February 10. The Soviet delegate, Mr Vyshinsky, suggested to the Security Council today that Britain, Russia, China, America, and the Netherlands should be represented on a commission of investigation on Indonesia. Mr Vyshinsky was speaking in the morning in support of the Ukrainian complaint t j P rese nce of British troops in Indonesia and the proposal that a special commission should be sent there by the Security Council. At this afternoon’s session both Mr Bevin and Dr. van Kieffens opposed a commission. Their late night at the Buckingham Palace reception last night did not help members of the Council to concentrate on Mr Vyshinsky’s arguments this morning, but there was a Stir round the Council table and a buzz in the gallery when in “a most serious warning to the Council” he described the Indonesian situation as a “spark which may set the powder barrel alight and lead to a new world ednflagration.” Likening the British and Dutch denials of the charges levelled regarding the situation in Indonesia to ‘‘a very feeble counter-attack in response to a very heavy attack,” Mr Vyshinsky said that they proved nothing. The use of British arms was quite inadmissible and in contradiction with the terms of the United Nations Charter. Mr Bevin’s suggestion that the function of the newspapers was to amuse, entertain, and mislead, was very amusing, but it was an impossible assumption. It was curious logic for Mr Bevin to argue that because a fact was reported in the newspapers it was incorrect Reliance on Press “If this is true, the press would lose its significance for truth in information,” he said. “I suggest that the fact that there is a free press in Britain entitles us to place some credence on what the press brings us in the way of information.” Mr Vyshinsky said that criticism of the Ukrainian delegate’s presented facts was unfair. He was quite entitled to use the available information, as he had no access to the privileged sources at the disposal of the British and Dutch Governments. Delegates arrived in a vicious circle where on one hand they were told that their facts were alleged to be untrue and on the other they were refused permission to find out the true facts. The British and Dutch delegations had thus created a situation of inequality on the Security Council. Their methods were unworthy of the Council. Referring to Dr. van Kieffens’s offer to supply information through the usual diplomatic channels, Mr Vyshinsky said that they knew what was meant by diplomatic channels ana what sort of information passed through them. The use of diplomatic channels should not exclude other sources which could be verified. Mr Vyshinsky quoted British lawyers and thinkers who had established the fact that the best evidence should be used and the best evidence was always first hand. Dr. van Kieffens seemed to want tbe Security Council to have second hand information, but what was needed was objective first hand reports.

Fears Imputed to Dutch “How, then, are we to understand Dr. van Kleffens’s suggestion that a commission should not be sent. What dangers does he fear? asked Mr Vyshinsky. “I suggest that he fears sending impartial observers to collect the facts and evidence and come to their own conclusions. He fears the shedding of light on this very obscure situation.” Mr Vyshinsky opposed secrecy in these matters. They should be discussed in the light of day, and, to use Mr Bevin’s phrase, all the cards should be on the table. Begging Mr Bevin’s pardon for referring to the newspapers, Mr Vyshinsky quoted ‘‘The Times” as reporting that a state of war existed in Indonesia. also an allegation by Mr J. F. F. Platts-Mills in Parliament that Britain was co-operating with the Dutch in carrying on the war. “I suggest that not only is the peace endangered, but a situation of war exists,” declared Mr Vyshinsky. Mr Bevin has said that imperialistic allegations against Britain have caused him some irritation, and that he had discussed the matter with Mr Molotov line by line. I must question that and say that it is not a fact. I was present at these conversations, and I am quite certain that this situation was not discussed line by line as suggested by Mr Bevin. After Mr Bevin had made clear the British situation, Mr Molotov replied that the Soviet delegation felt obliged to raise it because events in Indonesia represented the beginning of a new war when the old war was only just ended.” Training of Troops Dr. van Kieffens had suggested that there were not enough killed yet in Indonesia to justify the term “war.” However, said Mr Vyshinsky, according to information he had received from The Hague, Dutch infantry, tank, and artillery detachments were being trained and equipped so that they might be ready by May to go to Indonesia. This was significant because it showed that the Netherlands Government believed that the evolution of affairs in Indonesia necessitated the sending out of still larger forces. It showed that more extensive operations against the Indonesians could be expected. Arguing that the operations against the Indonesian Nationalist movement were not just limited to action against terrorists, Mr Vyshinsky declared that throughout colonial history the phrase “restoration of order” had always meant and still meant the use of repressive methods against progressive elements who were seeking national independence. Referring to Mr Bevin’s argument that the situation was an internal affair of the Dutch, Mr Vyshinsky asked if the United Nations could be an effective organ if national sovereignty were unlimited. Nations must sacrifice at least part of their sovereignty. If Britain was entitled to send a representative to Indonesia, why not other countries? Equality between members was indispensable. Dr. van Kieffens had said that he was ready to consent to a commission provided Mr Vyshinsky and Mr Bevin agreed. “I express agreement and Mr Bevin says ‘No. No commission.’ I ask you, Mr Chairman, what sort of equality is this?” “British Actions Harmful” British troops were in Indonesia by agreement with the Allies to disarm the Japanese. He did not ask for their withdrawal. Their actions, however, were very harmful and endangered peace. In the Soviet view, the Ukrainian allegations had not been refuted. Mr Vyshinsky contended that it was logical to send out a commission without asking for the troops’ withdrawal. He said that the fact that Japanese were used against the Indonesians had been established before the Council. Their use had been inadequately explained, and the circumstances leading to this should be investigated by a commission. The agreement between the Allies was for the British to enter Indonesia and General MacArthur’s orders had not stipulated that the Japanese should keep their arms and use them against the Indonesians. The fact that they did so was a violation, not only of General MacArthur’s orders but the Charter’s principles, and the Soviet did not and could not agree to such a violation. “We are asked to deal with the question with our eyes shut.” said Mr Vyshinsky. “The Security Council should not accept such procedure.” ; Mr Vyshinsky, after suggesting that the commission’s membership should be Britain. Russia, China, America, and the Netherlands, said that such a commission could obtain impartial objective information and calm public . opinion, and it would not violate j

national sovereignty or constitute a danger of any kind. It would increase mutual understanding between the Great Powers and between all members of the United Nations and give fresh proof of the nations’ sincerity and determination to abide by the principles of the United Nations organisation.

A commission of inquiry into the Indonesian situation would serve no useful purpose, declared the Egyptian delegate when the Security Council resumed after the luncheon adjournment. The Security Council, he said, should not intervene until the British troops had completed their job. He questioned whether the Indonesian situation was as black as it was painted. Bevin Replies Mr Bevin, rising to reply, said the discussion had gone entirely wide of the Ukrainian letter to the Security Council. Mr Manuilsky in his arguments did not claim that international peace and security were endangered. The Russian delegation had only implied this claim, ending up by saying that it did not want the British troops withdrawn.

Declaring in the name of the British Government that- he refused to be a party to a commission because of the reflection upon Britain contained in the Ukrainian letter, Mr Bevin said: “This is the only way I can make my protest —by resisting a commission. I protest against a great State being charged with interference and a commission requested to intervene when the charge cannot be substantiated.” If it were argued that the Netherlands Government was a repressive one. endangering peace, that should have been stated in the charge. “I am not going to be a party to allow unchallenged all kinds of inferences to be thrown at the British soldier, who had an unpleasant job to do,” said Mr Bevin. The Russian and Ukrainian delegations had ignored his statement that the British troops did not fire a shot until they had conferred with Dr. Soekarno and explained their duty. Sir Archibald Clark Kerr had gone to Indonesia only as a political adviser, because British troops were involved. Comparison Challenged Mr Bevin continued that Mr Vyshinsky’s references to Poland and Rumania afforded no comparison with the present case. Britain in neither case had charged the Soviet with endangering peace, nor did she say one word concerning the Red Army. “I have not exaggerated or tried to exaggerate the difficulties in Indonesia,” said Mr Bevin. “On only one occasion were Japanese troops used, and a full statement made to the House of Commons is available in Hansard.” i There had been an unpleasant incident in which 22 British troops had been hacked to pieces in front of the public. Such incidents, could be called excesses. The Netherlands Government was trying to carry out its task in Indonesia in accordance with the spirit of the United Nations Charter, and Britain would render assistance as far as possible. However. Britain would not interfere with any decision which i rested between the Netherlands Gov- ! ernment and the Indonesians. I Dr. van Kieffens, following Mr i Bevin. said he would agree to a comi mission if the Ukraine and Britain desired one. but it must limit its in- ■ quiry into the conduct of the British troops in Indonesia, and must not interfere with the domestic jurisdiction of the country. The fresh Dutch troops who were going to Indonesia were primarily to relieve the British. They would not be used against the bona fide nationalist element, but against unruly elements and hooligans, of whom there were too many. The council adjourned until Monday.