Indonesia Does Not Object To N.Z. Military Presence

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 1

Indonesia Does Not Object To N.Z. Military Presence

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 19. Indonesia had no objection to New Zealand and Australia maintaining or even increasing their military commitments to Malaysia and Singapore after the British withdrawal in 1971, the Foreign Minister of Indonesia (Dr Adam Malik) said today.

However, said Mr Malik, his Government would not welcome the intervention of “other nations”—and he named Japan as an example. “We do object to the deployment of forces in the area other than those of Britain, Australia and New Zealand,” he said. Mr Malik was speaking through an interpreter at a press conference in Parliament Buildings. Mr Malik said: “There was a press report from Singapore at one time that Japan might be asked to send forces to the area. We would object to this. “We have already discussed thig. with the Japanese and they have no intentions of trying to do this," he said. Asked if Indonesia was considering joining other nations

in a defence arrangement, Mr Malik said: “Indonesia does not want to have any military pacts. Challenges Others “But, of course, if there is any aggression against neighbouring countries we would Regard it at a threat to our country.” Mr Malik said the Indonesian Government was not in favour of military alliances because they only challenged others to create counter military efforts. Asked if he thought Indonesia was militarily strong enough to take care of its own security, Mr Malik said: “Our experience in the last few years has shown that the threat has not come from outside but from within.” On his talks with Mr Holy-

oake and other Cabinet Ministers, Mr Malik said: “We have each explained our positions and we have mutually clear views of each other’s opinions. After these exchanges I am convinced relations will be even better and closer than before.” Good Relations He said he had visited New Zealand to improve the already existing good relations between the two countries. “As far as economic aid is concerned, we cannot expect massive aid from New Zealand because of your own economic problems. “Besides economic aid we can improve other forms of co-operation, like trade and technical assistance,” he said. Mr Malik said he had not

asked for any specific assistance from New Zealand. Prior to the press conference Mr Malik called on the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) and the Minister of Defence (Mr Thomson). He spent 30 minutes with each. Mr Malik discounted military alliances as a solution to security, giving Vietnam as an example. Own Efforts He said: “We have seen that despite the infiltration of 500,000 American servicemen in Vietnam the threat of aggression remains. “So Indonesia has come to the conclusion that every country in the area will have to do its utmost to strengthen its own forces. If there is aggression from outside, of course, neighbouring countries will not be able to sit still. “Indonesia is of the opinion that the major problem for the countries in SouthEast Asia is to strengthen their economies. When better economic conditions have been achieved any outside threat will be faced better. “That is why we give priority to economic development,” said Mr Malik.