Indonesia To Return To United Nations

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31027, 5 April 1966, Page 17

Indonesia To Return To United Nations

<N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) DJAKARTA, April 4. The Foreign Minister. Mr Adam Malik, said today that Indonesia would return to the United Nations and would seek to improve relations with the United States, the Associated Press reported.

Mr Malik, speaking at a news conference, gave no details of the new Indonesian Government’s contemplated return to the world organisation. He said it would “depend on many questions.” President Sukarno withdrew Indonesia from the United Mations and a number of other international organisations a year ago after Malaysia was elected to the Security Council. Traditional Policy Mr Malik, who took over foreign policy from the proPeking Dr. Subandrio, said the new Government would return Indonesia to its traditional foreign policy. This was taken to mean the Government would adopt a more neutral course of action. He said in reply to a ques tion that relations with the United States have not always been good, but the Government would do its best to improve them “soon.” Relations with the United States had been good in the past, he said, and “we will overcome difficulties existing now.”

Mr Malik said the confrontation with Malaysia would continue, but Indonesia was always open for a peaceful settlement. Mr Malik said the new Indonesian Government would be guided in its foreign policy by the realities existing in the outside world “which, whether we like it or not. will have to be faced.” “The Indonesian Government will consider Indonesia’s participation in international bodies, including the United Nations," he said. The Foreign Minister said foreign policy had to serve the national interests and fulfil the people’s most urgent needs. He said the new Government was likely to seek more economic aid from both East and West.