BRITAIN ADAMANT ABOUT MALAYSIA

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30767, 3 June 1965, Page 15

BRITAIN ADAMANT ABOUT MALAYSIA

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, June 2. The British Commonwealth Secretary, Mr Arthur Bottomley, said last night there could be no question of Britain shirking her obligations to Malaysia.

He was speaking in a House of Commons debate on Commonwealth and colonial affairs. It was the British Government's firm policy to continue helping Malaysia to defend her independence and territorial integrity as long as she wanted British help, he said. Commonwealth ties apart, Britain was committed to this by the Anglo-Malaysian Defence Agreement. In recent months, there had been calls for negotiations between Indonesia and Malaysia, he said. “We should be happy for these negotiations to bring about a peaceful settlement,” he said. “But mere talk of a desire to negotiate, which is as far as the Indonesian protestations have ever got, is not enough.” This was particularly so when Indonesian leaders constantly reiterated their determination to crush Malaysia at all costs, taid Mr Bottomley. Several countries in friendly relations with Malaysia and Indonesia were still patiently and actively trying to promote a reconciliation. Britain's duty was clear—-

to discharge her obligations to her friends, he said. “The burden is not a light one, but it is within our power and there can be no question of our shirking it,”