Diplomat Defends Confrontation

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30591, 6 November 1964, Page 3

Diplomat Defends Confrontation

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 5. Indonesian landings in Malaysia were not aggression, an Indonesian diplomat, Mr D. Joewono, said here today. They stemmed from British incursions into Indonesian territory long before the Federation of Malaysia was created. “I admit that landings were made, but they were within the framework of confrontation,” he said. Mr Joewono, Charge d’Affaires, at the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, is in Wellington to attend a reception for diplomatic representatives to New Zealand at

Government House tomorrow. “British forces crossed the borders into Indonesian territory before the formation of Malaysia,” he said. “During the Indonesian rebellion of 1957-58 the rebels received support from British military bases and were granted political asylum at those bases. “Royal Marines from Singapore were sent into Indonesia in that period.” Confrontation of Malaysia was part of the concept that the people of South-east Asia should be responsible for their own security, without interference from non-Asian countries. This had been agreed to under a treaty signed by South-east Asian countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia. “We feel that Tunku Abdul Rahman broke faith by having British military bases in Malaysia,” he said. The concept of South-east

Asian countries being responsible for their own protection without outside interference did not apply to Australia and New Zealand. While they were geographically part of that area, they were spiritually European. The impression that Indonesia was overcrowded, underfed and in a state of political and economic nearchaos was a false one, said Mr Joewono. “The only area of overcrowding is Java. Other parts of Indonesia are spacious and, if I may say so, quite attractive. There is a shortage of rice, but not of other food. We have no ambitions towards other countries.” Indonesia had one President for the last two years. There was political conflict within the country but it was “not much different from that caused by the oppositions in Australia and New Zealand.”

Indonesians did not believe that the people of Malaysia were wholeheartedly behind the federation. A United Nations survey made about the time the federation was announced did not give an accurate picture. “How can you find out people’s true feelings in only five days?” said Mr Joewono. He described as “propaganda” reports that Indonesian paratroopers were caught because villagers were hostile instead of sympathetic as expected. Asked about the early collapse of the infiltrating forces, he replied with a grin: “They were surrounded by the armies of the British Commonwealth.” Mr Joewono added that he felt the dispute could be settled by negotiation, and early talks should be held by the committee of Afro-Asian countries.