BOMB THROWN AT SOEKARNO

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29716, 9 January 1962, Page 11

BOMB THROWN AT SOEKARNO

Three Killed, But President Unhurt

(NZ. Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, January 8. A hand grenade exploded outside a sports arena in Macassar, South Celebes, last night in an assassination attempt against the Indonesian President, Dr. Soekarno, United Press International reported. However, the President was unhurt.

Three persons were killed and 28 injured when the blast went off 150 yards behind the car carrying Dr. Soekarno to a rally aimed at stirring up enthusiasm for an invasion of Dutch New Guinea.

The assassination attempt was the third against the 60-year-old leader in recent years and the second bomb attempt on his life. A spokesman for the Government, Colonel Jusef, said several persons had been arrested as "Dutch agents” in the assassination atttempt. Colonel Jusef said the incident was designed to break the spirit of the Indonesian people and was an example of the ‘‘cruelties and immorality of imperialists.” Continued Speech Dr. Soekarno went ahead with his rally speech and did not mention the attempt on h.s life. About 3000 students and Government officials were in the stadium and thousands more milled about outside. Dr. Soekarno launched an attack on the Dutch Foreign Minister (Dr. J. Luns) and his defence of the Dutch colonial policy, Reuter reported. Flourishing a news agency cutting, the President said the ‘‘capitalist and imperialist” American magazine, ' U.S. News and World Report,*’ had published an interview in which Dr, Luns defended Dutch occupation of Indonesian-claimed West New Guinea on the grounds that it had never been Indonesian territory and its peoples had the right to selfdetermination and it was the duty of the Dutch to bring them civilisation. The President said that on the first two counts, people who wanted to live together were and should be one nation, and the Republic of Indonesia and West New Guinea were one national geographic unit. On the last claim,' the Dutch, after a 35-year-occu-pation, had left the Indonesian people 70 per cent illiterate and trained them to be a nation of coolies. What improvements the Dutch had put in, such as roads, were connected solely with Dutch business interests, he said. The hand grenade incident occurred a few hours after Dr. Soekarno, in a speech at Bon Thain, South Celebes, 85

miles to the north of Macassar, had warned that Indonesia would invade West New Guinea unless the Dutch handed it over, the Zssociated Press reported. The Macassar region of South Celebes, until recently, was the scene of rebel activity, mainly by a fanatic group which advocated an Islamic state for Indonesia as opposed to Dr. Soekarno’s secular state. After the bomb incident. Dr. Soekarno went out again

tiiis morning and inspected a military base outside Macassar. Military precautions and security were strengthened in Macassar after the bomb incident. Reports from Djakarta said communications between Djakarta and Macassar were out last night but were restored briefly early today and then were out again. There was no indication whether there had been a breakdown in communication lines or whether the military

had intentionally clamped down, the Djakarta reports said. Dr. Soekarno was due to return to Djakarta this afternoon.

Dr. Soekarno is expected to hold discussions with both his Foreign Minister (Dr. Subandrio) and the Security Minister ’General Nasution) on his return to Djakarta. If the Dutch still refuse to yield and he goes ahead with the announced invasion, Indonesia will be faced with probably a costly drawn-out war that might eventually gain West New Guinea but seriously damage the republic’s economy. Associated Press said. Dr. Soekarno’s determined “and in the Celebes leaves him little room for a change of policy. Troops Arrive As the Indonesian leader toured the area, troop reinforcements poured into the South Celebes, jumping off spot for any invasion of the Dutch-held territory north of Australia. A flotilla of Indonesian destroyers was steaming toward the Celebes. Informed sources, quoted by Associated Press, said "volunteer” guerrillas soon would strike in New Guinea itself. Djakarta Radio said today that Indonesian troops in the east Indonesian islands (Moluccas and small islands around West New Guinea) had been ordered to stand by. The troops had been told to stay to their posts and be prepared to act at any time, because of the “West Irian” situation, the radio said. Brigadier-General Rukmito, the Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan, said in Djakarta last night that Indonesian armed forces were capable of wresting .“West Irian” from the Dutch. The Ambassador, a former Commander of East Indonesia during the rebellion, was summoned by President Soekarno in connexion with the New Guinea tension. He said. "There should be no doubt that the Indonesian armed forces are adequately strong and prepared at a moment’s notice to carry out landing operations with success on the ‘West Irian’ mainland ” Philippine Attitude The Philippines would make ‘‘informal contacts” with Indonesia and Holland to help solve the dispute peacefully, the Vice-Presi-dent and Foreign Secretary (Mr Emmanuel Pelaez) said today. But the Philippines would not mediate at this stage. Mr Pelaez told a press conference. He said the United Nations acting Secretary-General (U Thant’ was playing the role of mediator now and he had instructed the Philippines U.N delegation to co-oper-ate with U Thant in every way. Mr Pelaez said U Thant was the “most logical man" to mediate in the dispute.