SINGAPORE WELCOMES MOVE BY INDONESIA

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31032, 12 April 1966, Page 15

SINGAPORE WELCOMES MOVE BY INDONESIA

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright) SINGAPORE, April 11. The Singapore Government today officially welcomed Indonesia’s offer to recognise Singapore. But it assured Malaysia that there would be consultation in all matters where Malaysia’s defence interests were affected.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by Mr S. Rajaratnam, Singapore’s Foreign Minister, just before the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, left Singapore for Phnom Penh. It was in reply to the reported statement by Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Mr Adam Malik, that Indonesia would recognise Singapore soon, while intensifying confrontation against Malaysia. Mr Lee told reporters at a press conference before he

flew off to begin a six weeks’ tour of Asian and European countries that the act of recognition would not affect the physical problem of defence in this area. He said Singapore had taken note of the Indonesian statement and, when asked about diplomatic representation between the two countries, added: Too Soon “We must cross our bridges when we come to them.” Representation followed the act of recognition, he said. Asked about possible Singapore participation in the Association for South-east Asia, Mr Lee replied that he was extremely interested in any

form of regional co-operation, but that he would want to know more about the purposes of A.S.A., and benefits resulting frbm membership before he decided whether to join.

He added that he was visiting Bangkok at the invitation of the Thai Government. London Talks

Mr Lee said he hoped that his talks with the British Government in London would “bring about a condition to enable the United Kingdom to play its role in South-east Asia more effectively.”

Asked about Singapore’s attitude to possible British participation in the Vietnam conflict, Mr Lee said he did not like to talk about hypothetical cases. „ Decisions would have to be

on a qualitative rather than a quantitative basis and there might be instances where military activity could be defensive rather than aggressive.

The Singapore Prime Minister said his two month trip to European and Asian capitals was “to keep in contact with

people who matter to us.” Apart from visiting Phnom Penh, Bangkok and London, Mr Lee will be attending the Socialist international conference in Stockholm and will also be visiting Poland and other East European countries.

In Kuala Lumpur, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, said today that Mr Lee had telephoned him last night to say he did not know anything about Indonesia’s reported decision to recognise Singapore. The Tunku told reporters that Mr Lee described the report as a “bit of a surprise.” The Malaysian Premier, who was speaking before he had seen the Singapore Government’s statement issued by Mr Rajaratnam, said:

“The situation is fraught with uncertainty. It would not be wise to say anything more about it yet.”'

Money for Mansion. —President Johnson yesterday signed a bill authorising construction of a $750,000 mansion in Washington for the use of Vice-Presidents. — New York, April 11.