SOEKARNO ACCUSED

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 16

SOEKARNO ACCUSED

‘Violation Of Pledge’ (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) NEW YORK. July 23. President Soekamo of Indonesia had violated a pledge on Malaysia, the “New York Times" said today. A leading article asked whether the President had reversed himself in obeisance to the anti-Malaysia position of the powerful Indonesian Communist Party with which he was intimately entagled. President Soekarno alleged violation of an agreement with Indonesia and the Philippines that Malaysia would not be formed until the United Nations had ascertained the will of the peoples involved. Plebiscites “A Waste"

A plebiscite in Singapore and elections in North Borneo and Sarawak had shown substantial majorities favouring Malaysia. Malaya was unquestionably for it.

There was plenty of time for the United Nations Sec-retary-General (U Thanti to ascertain popular will before formal inauguration on August 31, and such a finding could be given immediately. ‘Time-consuming, costly and superfluous plebiscites, such as sought by Manila and Djakarta, are surely not called for,” the newspaper said. After agreeing to drop his objections, at least pending the United Nations findings. Dr. Soekarno had announced renewed opposition to Malaysia “at all costs.”

Recently it Looked as if Indonesia might be moving toward a more moderate and constructive policy, but “the outlook for Indonesia becomes depressing once again if Dr. Soekarno's policy of 'confrontation’ toward Malaysia signifies a reversal of his promising new approach and a return to the sterile. Com-munist-leaning demagogy of earlier times." the newspaper said.