Suez To Be Closed To Dutch Ships

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29724, 18 January 1962, Page 13

Suez To Be Closed To Dutch Ships

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) DJAKARTA, January 17. The United Arab Republic is to stop Holland using the Suez Canal for military traffic directed against Indonesia, the deputy chairman of President Soekarno’s Supreme Advisory Council (Mr Ruslan Abdulgani) told reporters today.

He said that in talks last night with the visiting U.A.R. Vice-President and Defence Minister (Marshal Abdel Hakim Amer), the naval clash off West New Guinea was discussed. The marshal “told us the Suez Canal would not be open for use by the traffic of the Dutch aggressor directed toward Indonesia,” Mr Abdulgani said.

President Soekarno summoned an emergency meeting of his service chiefs and senior Ministers last night to discuss the clash between Indonesian and Dutch warships off West New Guinea. Members of the “West Irian Liberation Operations Staff” were also present. After the meeting, the President had private talks with the Foreign Minister, Dr. Subandrio.

Clergyman Arrested A Dutch clergyman has been arrested in connexion with the assassination attempt on President Soekarno nine days ago, the Associated Press reported. The South Celebes Military Commander (Colonel M. Yusef) today announced that the clergyman is W. Van Den Bergen, about 40. who has been a teacher at Macassar Theological School for about a year and a half. Two Indonesians who are former members of the Dutch Army in Indonesia were ajso under arrest and another Dutchman was being interrogated, Colonel Yusef said Military authorities also have arrested more than half a dozen political leaders of

dissolved opposition parties, informed sources said today.

The arrested leaders are reported to include a former Indonesian Prime Minister, Dr. Sutan Sjahriri, leader of the banned Indonesian Socialist Party, and Dr. Mohamad Roem, a former Foreign Minister. Important members of tihe banned right-wing Moslem Masjumi Party were also reported arrested.

Military authorities declined to confirm or deny

reports. It is believed the opposition politicians were arrested for alleged subversive activities. Naval Statement

The Indonesian Navy said in Djakarta today that Monday’s clash between the Dutch and Indonesian naval vessels “encourages us to execute the command for liberation without any compromise.”

The Navy strongly implied that it might resort to attacking Dutch vessels outside the waters of West New Guinea. There was no elaboration on this, reported the British Unitd Press.

An official Navy statement alleged that Dutch vessels and planes had attacked the Indonesian vessels inside Indonesian temitarial waters. In the Hague, Holland announced extension of military service for conscripts in West New Guinea. •Dutch troops in the territory are reported to consist .of 1200 infantry. 1000 marines. 1500 naval men, 700 airmen and 600 anti-aircraft gunners.

The Dutch Prime Minister (Professor Jan de Quay), said yesterday in a cablegram to the United Nations SecretaryGeneral (U Thant) that he was still prepared to negotiate with Indonesia without

“But if Indonesia should repeat their unprovoked attack on January 15. our forces will again make use of the right of legitimate self-defence.” he said.

Mikoyan Departs (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) ACCRA, January 17.

The Soviet First Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Anastas Mikoyan) and President Nkrumah of Ghana “exchanged views on problems of general interest in an atmosphere of complete cordiality and mutual understanding,” according to a joint communique issued in Accra yesterday. The communique was issued after Mr Mikoyan left for Bamako, Mali. He had spent six days in Ghana.

Algerian Deaths (N.Z.P.A -Reuter —Copyright) ALGIERS, January 17. Twenty-five people were killed and 27 wounded in insurgent and extremist attacks throughout Algeria yesterday. French military officials said in Algiers early today. Sixteen of the dead and 19 of the wounded were Moslems.