Rusk Calls For Peaceful New Guinea Settlement

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29716, 9 January 1962, Page 13

Rusk Calls For Peaceful New Guinea Settlement

(N.Z. Pres* Association—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, January 8.

A peaceful settlement of the West New Guinea dispute between Indonesia and Holland was called for yesterday by the Lnited States Secretary of State (Mr Dean Rusk). He said the use of force “would, I think, be contrary to Indonesia’s obligations.”

Mr Rusk told questioners ir. a radio interview that the United States had not at any t me formally offered its serv ces as mediator in the dispute.

"We see no reason why this matter cannot be effectively discussed between the two governments and some sort of peaceful settlement reached But we’re not in a position of formal mediation.”

He said that the dispute was one of the many issues • which come to our desk because. when friends of ours in different parts of the world find themselves in disagreement. each comes to us to ask if we can be of some assistance.”

Asked if he actually expected the Indonesians would use force, he replied: "I wouldn’t want to speculate on that. I think the use of force in a situation of this sort would itself be a very

serious matter and would. I think, be contrary to Indonesia’s obligations.” Bloodshed “Not Wanted” President Soekarno, addressing a rally at Bonthain. South Celebes, yesterday, repeatedly stated that he did not want bloodshed over West New Guinea, the British United Press reported from Djakarta. "We only demand our rights.” he said. "The Dutch themselves fought for independence from the Spanish, fighting to drive the imperialists from their country.

"The Dutch themselves prefer independence to peace.” said Dr. Soekarno. Indonesia wanted talks with Holland only if they were based on the transfer of the administration of West Irian. Dr. Soekarno said the Dutch aircraft carrier. Karel Doorman. had been sent to New

Guinea waters. “What will Karel Doorman do if one dark night a thousand little sampans with people inside enter and invade West Irian?” he said.

“In 1945, we had nothing but bamboo spears and naked microphones, but had something you can touch, see and feel we had spirit aflame.”

He said the Dutch were wrong in thinking that Indonesia’s struggle was Soekarno’s struggle.

“It is the struggle of 96.000,000 people. Actually 2.000,000,000 are involved because half the world supports us in the United Nations.” Trip to Bonthain

Yesterday. Dr. Djuanda Kartawidjajja. the Indonesian Chief Minister, led a procession of cars from Macassar to Bonthain. 75 miles away Dr. Soekarno followed by helicopter. With red-tipped sharpened bamboo spears, red-sashed volunteers with steel-pointed lances lined village roads on the route, shouting: “Ready for West Irian,” as the column of cars passed. Mr Frits Kiriheo. a Papuan student who is accompanying Dr. Soekarno, told reporters that he expected a military clash over Dutch New Guinea within three months and that he expected the Dutch to hand over “West Irian” within three weeks of that.