INDONESIA TO BUY ARMS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28895, 15 May 1959, Page 18

INDONESIA TO BUY ARMS

Military Mission In Britain (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 13. An Indonesian military mission now in Britain had about £9,000,000 to spend, and was looking for credit in addition, the “Daily Mail” reported. The newspaper said Britain had agreed to sell guns and fighting vehicles, but would refuse a request for heavy tanks. The mission posed the question of whether there had been any alteration in policy of sale of arms to Indonesia. Last December the British Government eased a ban on arms deals with Indonesia to allow the purchase of Fairey Gannet aircraft. Today, however, the War Office said there had been no change of policy. However, the six-man Indonesian delegation had been given official attention, and had met War Office officials of the Purchase and Supply Department. The “Daily Mail” said: “Both Holland and Australia fear that arms for Indonesia might lead to an invasion of west New Guinea, which Indonesia claims.” Indonesians had said the arms purchases were for the “war” against rebels in Indonesia, but it was pointed out that the Indonesian rebels had sent a mission to Jakarta to seek a settlement.