New Landings In West Irian As Accord Near

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29901, 15 August 1962, Page 15

New Landings In West Irian As Accord Near

(N .Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) HOLLANDIA, August 14. Several hundred Indonesian paratroops were dropped into West New Guinea territory early today, a Dutch Military Command communique said today. fhe communique said that between 4(M) and 500 paratroops had been dropped by six of seven Hercules transport planes, shortly before dawn today.

The communique said that Dutch military radar had spotted planes approaching West New Guinea from the direction of outlying Indonesian islands.

Dutch naval Neptune bombers scrambled from Biak base in an attempt to step the Indonesian planes One Neptune spotted a Hercules on its radar screen, but was unable to find it.

Hollandia was placed under an air alert and the electric power supply was cut off.

One Dutch plane circled above Hollandia for nearly two hours, giving rise to reports that the Indonesian planes were over Hollandia

and were dropping paratroops near the capital However, the air alert was lifted after two hours, and the Neptune returned to its base. Two planes reached the Merauke district and others flew to the Sarong, Teminabuan, and Kaimina areas. The Dutch communique said that no paratroops had been found near the four cities concerned and it was assumed that they had landed in jungle areas. Civilian Dakota aircraft were taken over by the military today to fly marines into areas where the paratroop:landed No Dutch Comment In The Hague, official sources today refused to comment on the new paratroop landings An official spokesman said that all developments were taking place under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General *U Thant' and that all statements would •have to come from there. Asked about reports that an agreement on the transfer of New Guinea to Indonesia would be signed tomorrow. the spokesman said: “Il is possible " Accord Hoped For

A New York report says Dutch and Indonesian diplomats will get down to another day of hard bargaining today in their quest for early agreement on the transfer of sovereignty over West New Guinea U Thant, under whose personal auspices the talks began yesterday, is hopeful that acdord. may be reached tomorrow The Indonesian Foreign Minister <Dr Stiba nd rio> indicated last night that he shared this hcoe. but Dutch officials gave the impression that they were not so optimistic Thornv problems still have to be solved, possibly by compromises, including the presence of Indonesian inlltrators in West New Guinea and Indonesian demands that their flag be raised over Hollandia, the territorial capital, before the end of this year even though sovereignty will not then have been transferred to Djaka rta. Recent Landings

The Dutch take a very serijiis view of the landings of Indonesian troops in West New Guinea in the last week, e' en as preparations were far advanced for the, talks. But observers here said it was doubtful whether the

Netherlands would make withdrawal of the “infiltrators” a condition for the start of formal negotiations. The talks, which began yesterday, are officially described as "informal." -But it is expected that these sessions will cover the principal elements of the agreement

and that the “formal” negotiations will be quite brief. Work on the financial protocol of the proposed accord was to begin today. Dr. Subandrio said last night that

the military protocol had been completed.

Informed sources said the Dutch were not inclined to keep their troops in West New Guinea long after agreement was signed. The "New York Times" said today that the Netherlands and Indonesia would divide equally the cost of a United Nations force and a civilian administration planned for Dutch New Guinea Virtually no expenses would be assumed by the United Nations The newspaper's United Nations correspondent reported today that U Thant planned to send a force of 1000 to 1500 men to Dutch New Guinea to keep order during the transition period before the territory was annexed by Indonesia. Reliable sources quoted by the correspondent said that the troops would be provided by the African , and Asian members, with "the Gfeat Powers barred from taking part. This policy had been followed with the United Nations Congo Force and the United Nations EmergencyForce in the Gaza strip. In addition. U Thant had ottered to provide up to 150 administrative officers during the temporary administration. This would begin on October 1 and Indonesia would take control of Dutch New Guinea on May 1. according to a plan submitted by Mr Ellsworth Bunker, a former United States Ambassador. who has acted as U Thant’s representative in the negotiations between Indonesia and the Netherlands over the territory.