NEW GUINEA ISSUE Mounting Fears Of Invasion

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29722, 16 January 1962, Page 11

NEW GUINEA ISSUE Mounting Fears Of Invasion

(K.Z. Pres* Assn.—Copyright)

DJAKARTA, January 14.

Diplomatic observers in Djakarta believe President Soekarno has reached the point of no return in his campaign to extend Indonesian rule to West New Guinea, United Press International reported today.

While Government leaders have clearly indicated they would prefer a negotiated settlement to the longstanding dispute, there is a growing body of opinion that believes President Soekarno is not bluffing when he alludes to an invasion of the territory by “a thousand boats if necessary." War Nearer?

While foreign diplomats still were declaring cautious optimism for a peaceful settlement, many Indonesians felt that war was nearer now than at any time since President Soekarno threatened military action against the Dutch in a speech last December 19, the Associated Press said.

Newspapers were referring more frequently to "zero hour” which would fall next Thursday if President Soekarno stuck to his time limit.

The U.P.I. correspondent agreed that President Soekarno was sincere in his threat to use force if necessary, but he said the consensus in Djakarta was that the 350.000-man Indonesian Army would not be ready for any full-scale invasion of

Dutch New Guinea before spring.

Reuter reported that five divisions of volunteers, including 19 battalions of civil servants, one a women's unit, have been assembled in the South Celebes—President Soekarno'* announced "jump-ing-off spot'' for West New Guinea. Two volunteers. Mr and Mrs J. H. Theyssen. of Macassar. were former Dutch nationals. according to Djakarta papers. Followers Duty The Minister of Religion (Mr H. K. M. Wahib Wahabi has told a conference of Indonesian Moslem scholars in Jogjakarta that it was the duty of every follower of Islam to follow out President Soekarno's order to "liberate” West New Guinea from the Dutch. Antara news agency reported that two ship* of the Royal Dutch Steampacket Company, the Kerossa and Ka Simbar. were standing off New Guinea ready to evacuate Dutch nationals to Australia or Australian New Guinea. Two other ships, the Labuanhadji and the Batavia, were already plying to Singapore whth Dutchmen “bolting for safety.” Antara said Dutch radio stations Hollandia, Biak, recently stopped jamming Indonesian broadcasts to the territory. The Dutch apparently wanted all information about Indonesian moves they could get. The Minister for Higher Education and Science (Professor Iwa Kusumasumatri) has instructed all university faculty members and students to register as volunteers for fighting in West New Guinea. The “liberation of West Irian is a sacred duty.” he said.

Mr Adam Malik, the Indonesian Ambassador to Moscow, has arrived in Djakarta for talks with the Government on the West New Guinea issue.

Major-General Suharto, appointed Commander of the

New Guinea “Liberation Oporation." is expected to leave Djakarta this week for hi* first beadquarter* in Macassar

General Suharto, aged 41, who played a major role in the fighting around Jogjakarta central Java, in the revolution against the Dutch has the nickname "th* Buffalo.”