Indonesia May Lose U.S. Aid

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30739, 1 May 1965, Page 15

Indonesia May Lose U.S. Aid

(N.Z.P A.- Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, April 29. The American Senate Foreign Relations Committee recommended today a cut-off in foreign aid to Indonesia and the United Arab Republic, although it felt that the Johnson Administration should have flexibility since “situations can change fast.”

It did so in its report to Congress on the current foreign aid bill. The committee recommended a two-year 3,352,170,000dollar annual foreign assistance programme and placed on it a two year deadline for the Administration to propose a drastically-revised scheme. The report said the committee considered recommending an absolute prohibition on aid to Indonesia and the United Arab Republic. But it substituted an expression of Congress that all aid should be ended to any country after “officially incited or unrestrained mob action” against American embassies and

other properties and not be resumed, until the foreign Government concerned took appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence.

There have been attacks in both countries in the recent past on United States property.

The committee registered the "emphatic” view that under present circumstances no aid should go to Indonesia and the United Arab Republic, although it felt that the Administration should have flexibility. It noted that no assistance was planned to be sent to Indonesia in the fiscal year starting next July 1. "The committee is certainly not prepared to see the United States regarded abroad as a musclebound giant unable to act in defence of its citizens, property and national interests,” the report said. A number of underdeveloped countries needed to be informed, it added, “that they have no inherent ‘right’ to assistance from the United States, and that such aid depends in part on the maintenance of a climate of mutual co-operation and civilised behaviour.”