Hostile Nations May Misuse Colombo Aid Conference

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 13

Hostile Nations May Misuse Colombo Aid Conference

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) BANGKOK, Nov. 11. The Colombo Plan Ministerial meeting which opened in Bangkok today looms as a battleground for countries involved in the Malaysia dispute. The dispute involves four members—Malaysia (the controversial Federation of Malaya, Singapore, former British North Borneo and Sarawak) and Britain which sponsors it, and the Philippines and Indonesia, which oppose it Nineteen nations are taking part in the conference and two more—Afghanistan and the Maidive Islands—are ex-

pected to arrive late for the five-day session. The Philippines has made it plain it wants assurances on its North Borneo claim before it recognises Malaysia. Malaysia's Deputy-Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, arrived yesterday voicing the line that recognition must come before anything else. Indonesia is sending its Air Communications Minister, who is not likely to have any negotiating powers but who undoubtedly will use his position as chief delegate to emphasise his country’s opposition to Malaysia. Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have been named as three of the four countries whose chief delegates will make replies to an opening speech by Thailand’s deputy-premier, Prince Nara- ’ dhip. The fourth country is Brit'ain, which Indonesia and the

Philippines blame for their opposition to Malaysia. A Colombo Plan spokesman said the four were chosen by the conference’s business committee to make the speeches. No reason was given for the choices. "There may be fireworks,” a conference source said. The purpose of the ministerial gathering is to approve a report on technical aid to developing South-east Asian nations. Colombo Plan officials, who had hoped to keep the technical conference free of political overtones, appear to be resigned to having the sessions turned into a forum for debate over the Malaysia issue. Mr Robert Carr, leader of the British delegation, said he hoped Indonesia. which vowed to destroy Malaysia, would not bring its hostility to the talks. If "confronta-

tion” arose, his delegation would support the Malaysian delegation. “I would be surprised if confrontation did not come up at the conference,” he said. In his opening speech Prince Naradhip said the most difficult problem was to find means of adjusting the interests of the fully-developed countries with those of the developing countries Concerted effort and mutual understanding were needed. On the one hand, export earnings from primary exports had to be stabilised; on the other hand, ways had to be found to admit exports of manufactured goods of developing countries. “We all look forward to the implementation of such a policy and I earnestly hope this conference will give the matter its serious consideration,” he said.