Holland Protests At Indonesian Activities

Press, Volume C, Issue 29435, 10 February 1961, Page 6

Holland Protests At Indonesian Activities

(N .Z.P.A .•Reuter—Copyright)

THE HAGUE, Feb. S. Holland .has dismissed Indonesian allegations of Dutch aggressive preparations in West New Guinea as a "fantastic notion.” The denial was included in a Dutch Note which was rejected by Indo-

nesia yesterday, then published in The Hague today.

“The Dutch Government protests against the activities of Indonesian armed forces in Netherlands New Guinea,” the Note said. It mentioned a landing on the soutfi-west coast of West New Guinea last November 13 of a group of 20 armed members of the Indonesian Army, and the interception on the night of November 27-28 of an Indonesian vessel carrying 12 Indonesians, including seven soldiers, and supplies for the first group of Army men.

The Note said: “The Netherlands Government protests against these activities of the Indonesian armed forces for which it holds the Indonesian Government responsible, and would highly appreciate being given the assurance of the Republic of Indonesia that similar intrusions will not occur in future.”

It also protested over a December 23 letter from the permanent Indonesian United Nations representative to the United Nations Secretary-

General (Mr Dag Hammarskjold) in which Indonesia accused the Netherlands of “preparation for all-out aggression against Indonesia." The Dutch Note maintained that Holland had no aggressive intentions towards Indo-

nesia. Its “modest defence establishment" in West New

Guinea could not be described as aggressive. It complied with its obligation under the United Nations Charter to protect the territory’s people.