MEETING IN NEW DELHI

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28481, 10 January 1958, Page 11

MEETING IN NEW DELHI

Soekarno And Macmillan

(Rec. 9.30 p.m.) NEW DELHI, January 9.

The British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) met President Soekarno of Indonesia at lunch today as the guest of the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Nehru. The Prime Minister and the President are understood to have discussed briefly and informally the dispute between Indonesia and Holland over West New Guinea.

After lunch, Indonesian sources said Dr. Soekarno had assured Mr Macmillan that the transfer of West New Guinea to Indonesia would in no way prejudice peace and stability in the area.

Dr. Soekarno believed that the lessening of opposition in Australia to the transfer of the territory to Indonesia would necessarily bring about a change in the Dutch attitude to the issue.

An Indian Government spokesman said Mr Nehru had reiterated the view that the continuance of colonialism in any form was definitely outmoded. It should be ended in the interests of all concerned.

British High Commission officials said that both Lady Dorothy Macmillan and Mrs Indira Gandhi —Mr Nehru’s daughter, who acts as his hostess—were at the lunch. Therefore there would be little scope for any detailed discussion of Indonesian problems. Dr. Soekarno this morning had his third meeting with Mr Nehru since his arrival in Delhi two days ago. It is understood that Dr. Soekarno is seeking not only India’s public support for Indonesia in the West New Guinea dispute but also some measure of economic help, particularly a loan of technicians and trained men to help run undertakings taken over from the Dutch.

Mr Macmillan today laid a wreath on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi, India’s independence leader, was cremated after he was assassinated. Mr Macmillan and his wife both removed their shoes, as is customary at the site, by the banks of the River Jumna, before laying a large wreath of white and mauve phlox.

The Prime Minister, who is on a Commonwealth tour, arrived yesterday and was understood to have conferred with Mr Nehru on the possibilities of East-West “disengagement” and a “summit” meeting. Mr Macmillan and Lady Macmillan were given a warm welcome when they landed in a 8.0.A.C. Britannia. Union Jacks were flown for the first time since India became independent 10 years ago.