PEACEFUL SOLUTION

Press, Volume C, Issue 29712, 4 January 1962, Page 9

PEACEFUL SOLUTION

Pressure On Cabinet

(N.Z Press Asm—CopvrigM) LONDON. January 3 The Dutch are rapidly moving towards a peaceful settlement with Indonesia on the New Guinea problem, according to a report in the ‘‘Guardian” from Rotterdam today. The Dutch people were not r-epared to ' go to war” on New Guinea and Duxti trade in general also wanted to come to an agreement with Irdonesia. the newspaper’s c >"e?pondent wrote. The Congo situation and developments in Goa had an overwhelming influence on Dtr*eh opinion. When the Administration Council 01 Dutch educated Papuans was installed last year, it was promised that all au‘hority would be handed over to the Papuans at a future date Though pressed more than once by the Labour ooposition to give a date for the handing over of power, the Cabinet had refused to do

The political leaders of the Ditch. Protestant and Roman Catholic parties, who in the early post-war years were the strongest opponents of a cimpletely independent Indonesia. were now realising their mistake. During the last month the Protestant and Roman Catho':c political leaders had been under constant pressure from Dutch business men to try to improve relations with Indonesia. In an editorial comment, the “Guardian” said: “Surely the Papuans ought to be able in due course to decide their own place in the world, and not have it decided by Indonesians. with whom they have neither racial nor historical links ” Role For U.N. "The Times” suggested 'hat the United Nations should take part if negotiations were h ’d between Holland and ffidonesia. “A settlement delivered to the world in United Nations wrapping would smooth the way tor the principals after years of angry denunciation and bring some much needed lustre to the United Nations itself as a peace maker. ‘‘lt would be a boon to o’her countries uneasily balancing 'heir relations with The Netherlands and Indones a” said "The Time?” “Expanding interests in South-east Asia and a growing awareness of the neighbourliness imposed on them by geography have long been hampered for the Australians by this anti-colonial baby on their doorstep”