‘Umbrella' Over Australia

Press, Volume C, Issue 29673, 17 November 1961, Page 15

‘Umbrella ' Over Australia

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter —Copyright) NEW YORK, November 16. Ninety million Indonesians formed an umbrella over Australia, the Indonesian Foreign Minister (Dr. Subandrio) warned last night.

Dr. Subandrio spoke of this “umbrella” during the General Assembly's debate on Dutch proposals for the future of West New Guinea Indonesia claims the territory above Australia under the name of West Irian. The Netherlands has asked the Assembly to recognise the New Guinea people’s right to self-determination and appoint a commission that would consider placing the territory under United Nations supervision pending a plebiscite Australia's delegate, Mr James Plimsoll, told the Assembly yesterday that Australia would vote in favour for the proposals. He deplored the Indonesian statement that it would resort to force if the Assembly adopted the Dutch plan. As the debate continued late last night. Dr. Subandrio stressed Indonesia’s wish to maintain its friendship with Australia. "I don't think Australia will ever make claims for territorial aggrandisement, nor will Indonesia.” he said “There is a common base for co-operation between our countries. “I think Australia realises that the security of Indonesia is the security of Australia. In all economic and political fields we can assist each other. “The Australian delegate said his country cherished West New Guinea because of its closeness. But I remind him that Indonesia is much closer to Australia. Australia should take into consideration the 90 million Indonesians who are living as an umbrella north of Australia. They also are important to Australia." Indonesia wanted to settle the West Irian problem on a basis of harmony, "not on Indonesian terms, but also not just on Netherlands terms.”

He said the problem arose merely because the Netherlands would not reconcile itself to the fact of Indonesian independence. “If there were not West Irian, the Netherlands would Invent other problems to harass us." he said. Dr. Subandrio said: "Whatever the judgment of this Assembly on this question, noone can deny that West Irian has ties with Indonesia. “We are devoted to the principle of self-determina-tion. We have given over half a million lives in support of it, but we feel this principle should not be misused to amputate the territories of other nations.” Referring to comments about alleged threats of force by Indonesia to obtain the territory. Dr. Subandrio said: “We will not use force. as long a the problem of West Irian remains a conflict between us and the Netherlands. But if this territory should proclaim independence. there would be no alternative for us ” Indonesia believed the question could be settled by diplomacy. But it must be settled by bilateral discussion between the two countries involved. He rejected any attempt to find "a unilateral solution, without the co-operative spirit of Indonesia." The Dutch delegate. Mr C. V A. Schumann. denied Indonesian claim to the territory. He said Indonesia had ignored the hand held out to it by the Netherlands It was clear that Indonesia’s onlv design was to take over West New Guinea, and allow the New Guineas to “confirm” that they wished to remain with Indonesia. “Such a formula, it is obvious, would make a mockery of the principle of free choice," he said.