Soekarno Again Threatens War

Press, Volume C, Issue 29671, 15 November 1961, Page 15

Soekarno Again Threatens War

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) DJAKARTA, November 14. Indonesia will fight to prevent the separation of Dutch-held West New Guinea (West Irian) from the republic, President Soekamo reiterated today.

Addressing an anniversary parade of the Police Mobile Brigade—a battle-equtpped police field force that fights alongside the Army—President Soekamo said: “Again I say Indonesia will fight so that this thing does not take place. "Yes, Indonesian people will fight, will go on fighting with or without the United Nation*. for the inclusion of West Irian within the Indonesian Republic.”

The Netherlands seeks international approval for granting “self-determination" to West New Guinea while Indonesia claims legal ownership. The two nations are locked in debate before the United Nations General Assembly. President Soekamo said: "My instructions now are to be ready and waiting for my final order. When the United Nations has taken a decision on Luns’ (the D-tch Foreign Minister, Mr J. Luns) proposal you will receive orders from my mouth. "My instructions today are directed not only to the Mobile Brigade but to the Army, Navy, Ait Force and to the Indonesian people. Be ready.” he said. The President said Ute political revolution * of the Indonesian people was now a*, its peak and he had appealed to the Netherlands to transfer the administration of West New Guinea to Indonesia He had told them that in ’his way, relations between the two countries could be normalised. The Dutch had replied with the proposal for

“self-determination” for the territory. “We Indonesians flatly reject this.” President Soekamo said. "It is a move which is just a neo-colonial tactic. “It is so easy for the colonialist imperialists to try to separate a territory from a country—this is an old song They do it claiming the territory wants to stand by itself or have self-determina-tion.” Indonesia had as much right to demand “freedom” for Friesland from the Netherlands or Puerto Rico or Hawaii from the United States. “For this reason we reject this proposal and we appeal to the United Nations to do likewise.” the President said.