Angry Debate On Malaysia

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30631, 23 December 1964, Page 13

Angry Debate On Malaysia

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, December 22. The Malaysia dispute reached a new height at the U.N. General Assembly yesterday as Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand exchanged arguments in exercising their right of reply.

After the Assembly adjourned, both the Malaysian and Indonesian Ambassadors, without concealing their anger, accused each other of being responsible for the situation.

The Malaysian Ambassador, Mr Radhakrishna Ramani, said “We just want Indonesia to stop sending its troops into our territory. The best way for a solution is that Indonesia respect the Security Council resolution.” The Security Council resolution, adopted by nine of its 11 members on September 17, but later vetoed by the Soviet Union, deplored the landing of Indonesian-based paratroops in South Malaya on September 2. The resolution said in effect Indonesia should respect the integrity of Malaysia and then begin negotiations for a settlement of the dispute. Asked if he still thinks there is room for a negotiated settlement, Mr Ramani asked “How can I expect a solution while Indonesia continues sending its troops into the Federation?”

“It is hard to say if the situation is getting worse,” Ramani told the General Assembly. He was commenting on the unusual situation in the Assembly in which both Malaysia and Indonesia repeatedly exercised the right of reply.

The Indonesian Ambassador, Mr L. N. Palar, said: “We want Malaysia to accept the Macapagal proposal” put

forth at the summit meeting between Malaysian, Indonesian and Philippine leaders in Tokyo earlier this year. The proposal of President Macapagal, of the Philippines, called for the establishment of an African-Asian reconciliation commission to find a solution to the dispute. Mr Palar told the Assembly: “We want to meet at any time to find a solution . . . it’s up to Malayasia.” He said Indonesia had no intention of withdrawing its troops from Malaysia until the reconciliation commission was convened.

The Philippine Ambassador, Mr Salvatore Lopez, was not available for comment.

A Philippine U.N. delegation source said the Macapagal proposal was “a very promising line for a peaceful solution.”

He added that in spite of yesterday’s events the Philippines would continue its efforts to arrange a meeting among three Ambassadors to find a clue to a settlement. Mr Palar touched off the arguments in replying in the Assembly debate to Mr Ramani’s statement last week accusing Indonesia of “an act of hostility” and demanding Indonesia withdraw its troops from Malaysia.