Lee To Put Case For Malaysia In U.S.

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 13

Lee To Put Case For Malaysia In U.S.

(N.Z^A.-Reuter —Copyright) SINGAPORE, March 12. The Singapore Prime Minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew) said today that the Malaysian Prime Minister (Tunku Abdul Rahman) had asked him to visit the United Nations in New York and American officials in Washington to put Malaysia’s view in the dispute with Indonesia. Mr Lee told a press conference he could leave if necessary in 10 days and he anticipated his mission would take about 10 days.

Informed sources said no definite departure or schedule had been arranged for Mr Lee. They said Mr Lee would also like to spend some time in Malaya in April when his People’s Action Party will, for the first time, be contesting some seats in the Malayan State elections.

Mr Lee said his mission would basically be lobbying and telling people of Malaysia’s position. He would not speak in the United Nations, but would “prepare the ground” there in case Malaysia in future wanted to present her case formally.

Asked about United States policy towards Malaysia, he said it had "for want of a better term an ambivalent policy.” She was friends with Malaysia, but sometimes it appeared she wanted to be “more friends” with Indonesia. As Indonesia’s population was far larger than Malaysia’s, that was “not unnatural.” However, he believed it would not be “incompatible” to peace if United States policy was “adjusted” so that she was equally friendly to both countries.

The Malaysian Government feels that the United States has some reservations about the Malaysian cause, usuallyreliable sources say. The Government believes that the United States is still primarly intent upon supporting President Sukarno, in the hope that this wiU save Indonesia from communism. Mr Lee recently led a Malaysian "truth mission" through 16 States of North, East and West Africa, where Indonesia is strongly represented. Philippine Mediation A proposal by Mr Salvador Lopez, the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to leave for Djakarta and Kuala Lumpur on a mission to ease tension over the Malaysia dispute. has been approved by President Macapagal, it was revealed today by the Foreign Office spokesman. Mr Lopez was expected to leave “any time this week." the spokesman said. Mr Lopez would confer with President Macapagal today on the details of his trip, and possibly get a personal letter from the President for delivery to President Sukarno and Tunku Abdul Rahman. Mr Lopez is expected to clarify his “package proposal’’ on the Malaysian dispute The Lopez formula, proposed at a recent tripartite ministerial meeting in Bangkok calls for:

Disengagement of Indonesian

and Malaysian forces in Borneo and the confining of their activities to their respective territories. Immediate political ‘alka on the acceptability of Malaysia. A meeting among the Heads of the Government of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Mr Lopez has reportedly added a new twist to his formula to satisfy both Malaysian and Indonesia demands. He is expected to propose the holding of a ministerial conference a few days before the summit. Malaysia insists on a ministerial meeting first to work out details of the border cease-fire, while Indonesia and the Philippines insist on a summit meeting.