INDONESIAN TALKS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25709, 22 January 1949, Page 7

INDONESIAN TALKS

Proposal Made By Dutch ONE U.N. ENVOY SOUGHT (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. The meeting of the Security Council to discuss the Indonesian problem was postponed from today until to-morrow. It is understood that both the British and French delegations are still awaiting instructions from their Governments on certain points in the draft resolution sponsored by the United States, Cuba, China, and Norway. The Dutch Government has . formally proposed to most Security Council members that the present Consular Commission and Good Offices Committee in Indonesia should be abolished and replaced by 'a single United Nations envoy.

Australia, Ceylon, India,, and Pakistan were to-night appointed by the Asian Conference as a drafting committee to draw up a recommendation to the Security Council for an early settlement of the Indonesian dispute. This was announced in an official communique issued after a, meeting in camera.

Points discussed by the- conference at the meeting were: (1) the restoration of full liberty of action to the. Republican Government; (2) the return to the Government of territories held by it before December 18. 1948, and the withdrawal of Dutch troops from this area; (3) the formation of an interim Government; (4) provision for elections to a constituent assembly and the transfer of power to the United States of Indonesia; (5) the creation by the Security Council of a commission or other body vested with adequate power to give effect to this recommendation.

Observers - point out that all four members of the drafting comfriiltee are British Dominions.

. Although the opening speakers at the conference denounced “Dutch aggression,” none spoke with heat or vehemence. The morning's proceedings were remarkable for restraint and a quiet determination to achieve concrete results. Practically all the delegates emphasised that the conference had not been called to form an Asian bloc.

Sir Mohammed Zafrullah Khan (Pakistan) said that the conference represented half the human race and it would place on record its deliberate views.

He added: “In spite of the distress over the recent Dutch action in Indonesia, we are not the least inspired by hostility or ill-will towards Holland or its people. Their sterling qualities are appreciated. However, it is tragic that a small nation which was unable to protect Indonesia from Japanese aggression is now trying to deny it its freedom.” "Dutch Intransigeance”

The senior Australian delegate (Dr. J. W. Burton) said that the conference had been called in no vindictive spirit. It did not contemplate aimless reprisals or restraints. It had been called because of Dutch intransigeance in Indonesia and the failure of the Security Council to deal effectively with the situation. “Our attitude is that a mistake has been made which has caused loss of life and suffering to the Indonesians,” he said. “It was a mistake from the viewpoint of the United Nations and a mistake affecting world peace and democratic institutions.”

The conference aim was to remedy the damage already done, both in Indonesia and to the prestige of the Security Council and the United Nations, without which there could be no security.

The Afghanistan delegate (Sardar Najibullah Khan) asked the Dutch to follow the example of the British, who granted freedom to India. • The Burmese delegate (Mr U Win) suggested that the conference should appeal to the United States to withhold aid to the Dutch.

General Carlos Romulo (Philippines) proposed setting up machinery for the implementation of the proposals of the conference, including a small permanent secretariat in New Delhi or Manila. He said: "By co-operating we shall be able to evolve a permanent organisation of Asian States functioning as a regional body along with other nations of its kind as contemplated by Article 52 of the United Nations Charter.” - t 3 The Vietnam Republic circulated a memorandum among the delegates stating that the conference had "raised prolific hopes in the hearts of the oppressed-peoples of Asia.” Regretting that the Vietnam Republic had not been invited to join the Asian Conference as an active member, the memorandum stated that it hoped a permanent Asian Committee would be established by participating countries and including representatives of “other countries fighting for freedom.*’ ~ , ~ x It is reported from New York that representatives of the United States, China. Cuba, and Norway conferred to-day on a joint proposal which they plan to lay before the Security Council on Indonesia. It is understood that the original draft circulated by the United States last week has been modified considerably to meet objections raised by Britain and others who do not want strong action against the Netherlands.