Less Strain Over Malaysia Proposals

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30093, 29 March 1963, Page 11

Less Strain Over Malaysia Proposals

(N.Z Pres* Association—CopvnflM) CANBERRA, March 28. The Australian External Affairs Minister (Sir Garfield Barwick) said today there were clear signs of an easing tension between Malaya and Indonesia.

A declaration by the Malayan Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, that conditions laid down by the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Doctor Subandrio. for the elimination of objections to the formation of the proposed Federation of Malaysia, were acceptable to him. Statements by official Malayan spokesman referring to the "blood brother” relationship between Malaya and Indonesia, and to the continuation of Malaya's traditional policy of friendship with Indonesia. Agreement by the two countries to exchange ambassadors after their earlier withdrawal Sir Garfield Barwick mid

the Australian Government hoped the present substitution ot discreet official exchanges for public charge and counter-charge could be maintained. Sir Garfield Barwick bad long talks at the E.C.A.F.E. conference in Manila earlier this month with the Philippines president, Diosdado Macapagal, the vice-president, Emmanuel Pelaez, and Doctor Subandrio. “As a result of these talks 1 believe that the Philippines and Indonesia realise the existence of Australian interest in Malaysia’s coming into being.” Welcoming President Macapagal’s proposal tor talks between Malaya. Indonesia and the Philippines Sir Garfield Barwick added: •Such talks could indeed pave the way for future co-operation between the three Malay countries, which have so much in common.”