GUERRILLAS IN SABAH

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 21

GUERRILLAS IN SABAH

Indonesian Motives (N.Z. Press Asm.—Copyright) DJAKARTA, October 27. Diplomatic observers in Djakarta believe toe United States is toe real target of Indonesia’s military harassment of Malaysia, accardtng to toe Associated Press. The dispatch of guerillas into the heavily-forested area of Saibab has two purposes. The first is to harass toe Malaysians, to frighten them, and to weaken their confidence in Malaysia's Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The second, more important, goat is to convince toe United States that peace in Southeast Asia is threatened.

"If tods can be accomplished, said one Western embassy official, ‘‘then toe Indonesians hope toe United States will decide to put toe pressure on toe Tunku to make peace with President Soekarno of Indonesia—at

Soekarno's own terms, of course.”

At the moment, one prominent diplomat said, Dr. SoeItatm would like to attend a summit conference with toe Tunku provided there were no pre-set conditions.

"But Indonesia does not want to commit herself beforehand,” explained another diplomat. “Indonesia wants to have a free hand to get toe Tunku to make concessions ait any forthcoming summit

“And they are sure if they are allowed to deal directly with the Tunku they will get toe concessions.”

If toe Indonesian's plans did not materialise, this diplomat said, ‘‘then the terrorist campaign can be expected to be continued.”

Indonesia is doing that, toe Associated Press correspondent said.