Holland Would Reopen Talks

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29832, 26 May 1962, Page 11

Holland Would Reopen Talks

<N.Z. Press Association—Copyright > THE HAGUE, May 25. The Dutch Government yesterday reiterated its willingness to resume negotiations with Indonesia on the New Guinea issue on the basis of the Bunker mediation proposals, the Associated Press reported.

In reply to Lower House debates on the issue, the Prime Minister (Dr. Jan de Ouay) told members that his Government, however, reserved the right to discuss “all aaoects of the Bunker proposal without being tied in advance to a pledge to transfer the administration to Indonesia ”

Dr. de Quay expressed his ••disappointment” over the aopeal of the United Nations Secretary-General (U Thant) to Holland and Indonesia to refrain from aggression "Holland has committed not a single act at hostility.” Dr. de Quay said. “This kind of objectivity, which is putting rt mildly. I call disapoointing.” The Foreign Minister <Dr Joseph Luns) said he had asked the United States Secretary of State (Mr Dean Rusk), in April, for clarification of the Bunker proposal with regard to Papuan selfdetermination They had then agreed tha - the Papuan self-determination should be included as a point of discussion between Holland and Indonesia

“On this point, however Indonesia has not agreed." Mr Luns said The formula on self-determination had been submitted to the Indonesians on May 5, but up till now there had been no reply “We are expecting a progressive. ethical, decolonising, emancipating policy in West New Guinea.” Dr Luns said Details Of Plan

Details of the Bunker plan were revealed by the Dutch Government in The Hague last night The plan, named after the former .American Ambassador to India. Mr Ellsworth Bunker, provides for the transfer of “administrative authority over West New Guinea ’ to a temporary executive authority under the acting Secretary-General of the United Nations at a specified date.”

The plan further provides that “the United Nations would appoint a mutally acceptable. non-Indonesian administrator who would undertake to administer the territory for a period of not less than one year, but no: mo-e than two. “This administrator would arrange for the termination of the Netherlands Administration under circumstances that will provide the inhabitants of the territory the opportunity to exercise freedom of choice on their future. “This administrator would replace top Dutch officials with short term. non-Indo-nesian and non-Dutch officials hired on a contract basis.” the official text said. The temporary United

Nations Administration would last one year. In the second year United Nations officials would be replaced by Indonesian officials, “it being understood, that, by the end of the second year, full administrative control would be transferred to Indonesia." United Nations staff would remain “in an advisory capacity.” The plan provides that Indonesia, in consultation with the United Nations, tVould give the Papuan population of New Guinea an opportunity to exercise freedom of choice within a given number of years. Holland would agree to transfer the administration on condition that the Netherlands received adequate guarantees for safeguarding the interests, including the right of self-determin-ation. of the Papuans.

Stockholm Visit. — Princess Alexandra of Kent arrived in Stockholm yesterday for a five-day visit. She is staying with King Gustaf Adolf and Queen Louise at Ulriksdag Palace just outside the city. —(Stockholm, May 25.)