Australia’s Differences With Indonesia Remain

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28821, 16 February 1959, Page 11

Australia’s Differences With Indonesia Remain

(Rec. 8.30 p.m.) CANBERRA, February 15. Differences between Australia and Indonesia remained in spite of discussions in the last five days between the Australian Minister of External Affairs (Mr Richard Casey) and the Indonesian Foreign Minister (Dr. Subandrio), who completed his fiveday Australian visit today, according to a joint statement issued in Canberra tonight. The joint statement by Mr Casey and Dr, SUbandrio said they had discussed fully the considerations which had led each country to a different view ever Dutch West New Guinea. Australia still recognised the Netherland’s sovereignty and the principle of self determination. The Ministers said the position was clarified by an explanation from Mr Casey and the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Robert Menzies) that if any agreement was reached between the Netherlands and Indonesia, Australia would not oppose such an agreement The Ministers agreed that the future of Western New Guinea was a question that should be resolved by peaceful means and that force should not be

to settle territorial differences. The Ministers also agreed to consider the possibility of a formal agreement between the two countries to encourage and widen mutual understanding. This could be achieved through exchanges of persons competent in the fields of artistic, literary or other cultural achievements, science and scholarship. Such an agreement would be designed to extend co-operative arrangements under the Colombo .Plan and other forms of international cultural co-operation. The Ministers noted that, since Indonesia joined the Colombo Plan. Australia has received more than 500 Indonesians for training and study. "It is agreed that the educational authorities in each country will be asked to examine the possibilities of study opportunities in Indonesia being used to a greater extent by Australian universities and learned bodies. ’ said the joint statement. Mr Casey and Dr. Subandrlo said the visit of the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs had contributed to the fostering of friendly relations and bettar understanding between the two countries. fl