Resumed Technical Aid To Indonesia

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31660, 22 April 1968, Page 20

Resumed Technical Aid To Indonesia

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 21. New Zealand will assign technical experts to. Indonesia under a resumed technical aid programme, according to the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and the Indonesian Foreign Minister (Mr Adam Malik) in a joint communique.

New Zealand’s technical aid to Indonesia was allowed to lapse during confrontation and experts were withdrawn as their assignments ended. However, New Zealand maintained its Colombo Plan training programme for Indonesian students studying in New Zealand during confrontation. A spokesman for the External Aid Division of the Department of Internal Affairs, said today that under the resumed technical aid programme at least four experts —and probably more would be sent to Indonesia to instruct in engineering and the English language. Mr Holyoake said in the communique that he explained to Mr Malik the difficulties which at present limited New Zealand assistance to other

countries. He emphasised i that New Zealand had continued to play its part under the Colombo Plan. The communique described their talks as “friendly and wide-ranging” and said both countries had agreed that continuing efforts should be made to sustain the consultation and co-operation which had been achieved. It said the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister affirmed that their two countries believed in the importance of securing improved economic and social conditions in which the peoples of Asian and Pacific regions could enjoy “enhanced opportunities and a more rewarding way of life.” They agreed that peace and stability were prime necessities for achievement of these improved conditions. Mr Malik explained in some detail the steps which his Government had taken to establish closer accord with neighbouring governments and Mr Holyoake expressed his great satisfaction that the Indonesian Government was,

iln particular, entering into rewarding forms of partnership with the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore. Both Mr Holyoake and Mr Malik expressed their support for the measures taken to promote schemes for regional co-operation in the Asian and Pacific areas. Mr Malik passed to Mr Holyoake a formal invitation from President Suharto for Mr Holyoake to visit Indonesia. Mr Holyoake said he hoped he might have the opportunity to accept it.