Philippines Renews Peace Making

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30952, 7 January 1966, Page 13

Philippines Renews Peace Making

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

MANILA, Jan. 4. The Foreign Secretary, Mr Narciso Ramos, today said the Philippines would re-examine its policy toward Indonesia and attempt to end the conflict between President Sukarno’s Government and Malaysia.

He was making his first review of foreign policy since the inauguration of President Ferdinand Marcos on December 30. His statement and news conference answers indicated the Philippines 'would once again attempt to play a peacemaker’s role in the confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia. The former President, Mr Diosdado Macapagal, made similar peace-making attempts, only to abandon them when President Sukarno began actively employing guerrillas in Malaysian territory. Mr Ramos said the Philippines would undertake a reexamination of the concept of Maphilindo (the three-nation association of Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, which was former President Macapagal's mediation tool). At the same time the Foreign Secretary said he was prepared to support proposals from Malaysia and Thailand for a revival of the Association of South-east Asia.

This association, said Mr Ramos, was complementary to

Maphilindo and the two “could lead to the formation of a harmonious union of like-minded Asian states for mutual security, economic co-operation and cultural exchange. We shall look carefully into this possibility.” Under Study He reasserted the desire of President Marcos to restore full diplomatic relations with Malaysia. However, he said “it will take a little time. The mechanics are still under study. It will be done in accordance with normal diplomatic practice.”