‘Volunteers For Borneo’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30804, 16 July 1965, Page 11

‘Volunteers For Borneo’

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) DJAKARTA, July 15. Indonesia had never sent regular troops to Borneo, the Indonesian Army commander, Lieutenant-Gene-ral Ahmed Yani, said last' night. Interviewed by the Djakarta newspaper, “Suluh Indonesia,” General Yani said there were only North Kalimantan (Borneo) guer-

rillas and Indonesian volunteers. The general was commenting on the press conference by the Australian Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, last Tuesday which the Indonesian official Antara News Agency interpreted as. meaning that “Australia is at war with Indonesia.” The general was quoted by the paper as saying: “It is up to Mr Menzies’s interpretation.” “What the Australians are facing in North Kalimantan are the North Kalimantan

fighters and Indonesian volunteers,” he said. According to the paper. General Yani spoke of the “increasing military build-up by Britain in Borneo” and warned that “any concentration of strategic weapons around Indonesia can be evaluated as a preparation of an aggression which threatens the integrity of our country.” He also said: “What they (Britain) are doing now is the same as what they did during the Second World War, and the placing of guided missiles in Malaysia clearly constitutes . an offensive act.” Conflict Seen The Army newspaper. “Berita Yudha,” said today: “If Mr Menzies really means so, this certainly conflicts with the good will of the Australian people who wish to have friendly relations with Indonesia.” The paper said: “It proves the truth of the reported necolim (neocolonialism and imperialism) plot to destroy Indonesia and President Sukarno’s recent speech that the necolim is trying to encroach from the south and the north. “Indonesia, as the one being encroached on, should sharpen the sword. We should be more vigilant and ready to make reprisals.”