Subandrio Defends Arms Build-Up

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30042, 29 January 1963, Page 13

Subandrio Defends Arms Build-Up

(N.Z .Put. -Keutrr—Copyright)

DJAKARTA, January 28.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister (Dr. Subandrio) said today there was a great deal of “disquiet” being felt in Indonesia over reports abroad of her military build-up.

In a fiery statement to foreign reporter* at Djakarta's Kemajoran airport be said Indonesia had been increasing the strength of her armed forces for a “long time" and added "our defences are still inadequate." Dr. Suhandrio was speaking shortly before he left for Nev/ Delhi for talks with the Indian Prime Minister (Mr Nehru) on the China-India conflict. Asked to comment on reports that the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve in Malaya bad been put on a 72-hour alert, he snapped: "Let them do so.”

Then as reporter* premed him to my something about other reports that Indonesian troops were msasing on the Sarawak border, he said: “It is not true. Of that I am sure.”

Turning to several Australian reporters present, be said: "There is a great deal of diequiet being felt in Indonesia over warnings about our military build-up. ••Relatively speaking Australia's defence forces are stronger than ours. Indonesia's forces are scattered over many islands and for a country of 100.000,000 people they are inadequate.

"We have been building up our defence forces for a long time but they are atm inadequate,” he said. Refteratin< ftMt Indonesia was concerned about tocetan opWon of her military strength. Dr. Subandrio told reporters: “We ante ourselves what is the next step? What happens after all thia talk about our defences? It puts

Indonesia in a state of disquiet tn think about tt. "Tea Australia that our

build-up is nothing naw and that we need these armed forces for our own security,** he said.

Asked about present relations with Australia, Dr. Subandrio said emphatically: "They are good ... they are In a state of transition, of course, but they are good. I will do nothing to disharmonise our relations with Australia and you can quote me on that.”

Sources close to Dr. Subandrio said at the airport that he had spoken with unusual agitation and vehemence because he was disturbed U remarks made by the leader of the Australian Opposition (Mr Caisroli) that Indonesia’s Air Force could destroy any Australian city and "give 34 hours notice of its intention.”

Reports of Mr CatweU’a statement, made in a television interview in Sydney last night, were broadcast this morning throughout Indonesia by the State radio Barter. Dr. Subandrio told reporters the main purpose of bis trip to New Defa vu to seek the basis for negotiations by India and China on their border conflict

"I can say I am rather optimistic since 1 arrived back from Poking and from reports on Mrs BandarsMike's mimion to Now Delhi,” he said. *1 have come to toe coociuaion that both parties are wiMng and determined to settle their issue

“Another subject I will discom adto Mr Nebru io toe rvKCMmsntp DOVWBOQ OUT countries. We have to aliminete aM things that can create misunderstanding batween us."