Djakarta “Still Seeking Peace

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29726, 20 January 1962, Page 11

Djakarta “Still Seeking Peace

(NZP-A.-Rruter—Copyright)

DJAKARTA, January 19.

Indonesia is still doing its utmost to obtain a peaceful solution for the West New Guinea dispute, Major-General Achmad Jani, chief of the “West Irian Liberation Operations Staff,” said today. He was speaking after a meeting with President Soekarno and his service chiefs.

Asked about the latest appeal from the United Nations acting Secretary-General (U Thant) for Dutch-Indonesian negotiations on the issue. General Jani said, "We are still doing our utmost to find a peaceful solution for the West Irian issue.” Asked if he believed such a solution was now possible. General Jani said, “I think so." Time Limit General Jani declined to give a direct answer when asked if the Indonesian Government was still thinking in terms of a time limit for diplomatic activity on the dispute. “I have heard U Thant and President Kennedy are going to have a talk today on the West Irian issue, so we had better see,” he said. Asked if Indonesia was waiting for the result of that meeting before taking any action, General Jani replied, “We are .not waiting for it. We are just interested in it. “Our policy remains unchanged. Talks will be possible only on the basis of transfer of West Irian from the Dutch to us.” General Jani said it was not true that Indonesia lost two motor torpedo boats in the sea clash with the Dutch off New Guinea on January 15. Only one was sunk, he said. General Jani announced that Major-General Suharto, President Soekamo’s designated “Theatre Commander" for New Guinea, was leaving on January 22 for his first base at Macassar, in the South Celebes.

In Hollandia, a Dutch naval spokesman last night said he had no information on reports that the Indonesian Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Commodore Sudarso) went down with the Indonesian motor torpedo boat sunk by Dutch frigates off the south coast of West New Guinea on Monday night. The spokesman said that the Navy was investigating the report and might make a statement later. Call To Red Cross The Indonesian Navy has asked the International Red Cross to observe conditions under which the survivors of the battle are being held by the Dutch. The Dutch authorities have announced they are treating Indonesians picked up from the wreck of the torpedo boat as prisoners of war. A statement from the Indonesian Navy Office today said the action was opened by the Dutch at a range of three miles.

An accurate reply from the torpedo boat brought all the Dutch fire down on that boat, which covered the retreat of other Indonesian vessels. "These heroic deeds will have a place of honour in the archives of the Indonesion nation" the statement said.

Later the Indonesian Navy issued a statement saying it had not been confirmed yet that the missing Commodore Sudarso was dead. It urged the public not to trust "reports originating with the foreign press.” The statement said Indonesian ships remained in the area where the fight took place—“2s miles off the West Irian coast”—and were still searching for the missing crew of the lost torpedo boat.

The Indonesian Government has appointed Commissioner Sabar, of the Djakarta police, to head the

police in West New Guinea. The territory now has a “triumvirate" like those which rule other Indonesian provinces. The three are Commissioner Sabar, Colonel Busjiri (the Area Military Commander, with his headquarters in Ambon) and a Governor, who is, according to the President, already in the territory and whose name he refused to disclose. Papuan's Expectation The people of West New Guinea expect to see President Soekarno in their country before the anniversary of Indonesian independence, on August 17, this year, according to Mr J. A. Dimara, the New Guinea nationalist and a member of the Indonesian National Defence Council. Mr Dimara told reporters in Djakarta today that the clash between Dutch and Indonesian warships had "enraged” the people of New Guinea and more uprisings against Dutch authority now could be expected. The people of New Guinea were already 'refusing to serve in the Dutch armed forces, he claimed. Mr Dimara called on the Dutch Governor of West New Guinea (Mr Plated) not to flee if an Indonesian invasion started. “I have a nut to crack with that colonial authority,” Mr Dimara said. Djakarta's Minister for Higher Education and Science (Professor Iwa Kusumasumantri) has ordered formation of "a students corps" for the "liberation" of West New Guinea. The corps will be made up of undergraduates and officials of the Ministry.

The Indonesian Navy has announced it will be conducting gunnery exercises up to 12 miles off Sabang North Sumatra, until February 8 and suspicious vessels not showing national colours or

ignoring signals will be fired on. There was no confirmation in Djakarta today of London press reports that Soviet submarines had arrived in Indonesia. It was announced some time ago that Indonesia would get submarines from Russia under a multi-million U.S. dollars pact with the Soviet Union.

So far Indonesia has received Russian long range bombers, motor torpedo boats and gunboats. A cruiser is expected to arrive about the middle of this year, according to usually well informed sources in Djakarta.

Hire Purchase Decline

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter— Copyright) CANBERRA, January 19. The decline in hire purchase operations in Australia, starting with the credit squeeze early last year, continued in December. In the 12 months ended December 31, this business activity has dropped by £62 million.

At the end of December, hire purchase companies had £3BB million owing to them, or £1 million less than in November and £2 million less than in October. This compares with a peak business of £450 million owing in December. 1960.

The Commonwealth Statistician released these figures today.

Emergency Trip.— The Antarctic supply ship Magga Dan is making an emergency trip from French Adelie Land to Hobart with a man in need of surgery to his jawbone, and is due on January 22. Hobart. January 19.