Sukarno Might Order Singapore Attack

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30762, 28 May 1965, Page 11

Sukarno Might Order Singapore Attack

< N.Z.PA.-Reuter—Copyright!

DJAKARTA, May 27.

President Sukarno would order the destruction of Singapore if Britain made moves which Indonesia regarded as aggression, an Indonesian Army commander, Lieutenant-General Ahmad Yan, said last night.

The commander spoke after President Sukarno briefed Indonesian defence chiefs about “American and British plans to exploit the Malaysian Federation as a stepping stone for an attack on Indonesia.”

Antara reported LieutenantGeneral Yani as saying that not since the Second World War had there been such a large deployment of military strength by the British and American imperialists in South-east Asia as there was now.

The imperialist strength in South-east Asia at present included 22,000 Malaysian troops. 70,000 British. Australian, New Zealand and Gurkha troops, several kinds of warships, including the aircraftcarrier Victorious, and 30 air squadrons.

The budget approved by the British “for carrying out the physical confrontation against Indonesia” totalled about 18 million dollars daily. General Yani said. Earlier, the Indonesian Foreign Minister (Dr. Subandrio) said United States and British imperialism in the “puppet state” of Malaysia were now preparing attacks against Indonesia—attacks which would either be overt or by subterfuge. Dr. Subandrio, speaking at a celebration for the Indonesian Communist Party’s 45th anniversary, said evidence about the “criminal purposes” of the British and American plans were already in President Sukarno’s hands.' Dr. Subandrio said the im-

perialist group hated Indonesia because they were afraid the life, spirit and patriotism of the Indonesian revolution would spread through the world. If this happened the means for the imperialist group to continue its crimes would be closed, he said.

He said the imperialists were trying hard to -cause rifts among the people of Africa and Asia and were increasing their “criminal activities” in newly independent countries. Dr. Subandrio will leave tomorrow for Canton for talks with the Chinese Prime Minister (Mr Chou En-lai). Antara said one of the main topics at the talks would be bilateral economic relations between Indonesia and China. Next month’s second Afro-

Asian conference in Algiers would also be discussed. Indonesia is opposing Malaysia's participation and China is against Russia's attendance. Several Indonesian infiltrators engaged in a running sea battle with Singapore marine police boats late on Wednesday night, only 500 yards from the entrance to Singapore harbour.