American Office In Java Ransacked

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30619, 9 December 1964, Page 21

American Office In Java Ransacked

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) DJAKARTA, December 8. For the second time in four days a Communistled mob last night ransacked United States Government offices in Indonesia, the Associated Press reported.

An estimated 100 jeering Indonesians smashed, burned and looted the U.S. Information Service Library at Surabaya, east Java.

No-one was injured, a United States Embassy spokesman in Djakarta said today. Last Friday about 400 Indonesian Communist Youth Front member ransacked the Information Service Library in Djakarta. Both actions were in protest against American intervention in the Congo and U.S. support of Malaysia. Books Damaged In last night’s incident demonstrators smashed windows and furniture and burned and damaged about 4000 books, the spokesman said. The Embassy spokesman said the attack occurred about 6.45 last night The Indonesian staff slammed the doors shut but the demonstrators smashed the windows and clambered into the building. They ripped

down the American flag and hoisted the Indonesian colours, threw books and furniture outside and made bonfires with them. They wrecked the interior and damaged a mobile unit and a car belonging to the information service. The rioters spent about 30 minutes in the building. The Embassy spokesman said the two attacks were after repeated requests by the Embassy for protection of American property and staff. “Guarantees Given” Guarantees had been given from the “highest Indonesian sources,” he added. The United States Ambassador, Mr Howard Jones, and the U.S. Information Service head, Mr Paul Neilson, are to fly to Surabaya tomorrow to assess the damage. Mr Jones has lodged a protest at the sacking with the Indonesian Government. The American consul in

Surabaya, Mr Allan McLean, was not permitted by police to enter the library grounds last night. Nor was he able to see any official authorities in the area. The Surabaya library also was attacked in September. The Djakarta Cultural Centre reopened yesterday after Friday’s attack. The American library In Djogjakarta, central Java, has been closed since August.