APPEAL TO INDONESIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27515, 9 October 1950, Page 5

APPEAL TO INDONESIA

Cessation Of Offensive in South Moluccas UNITED NATIONS MISSION NZPA—Reuter—Copyright JAKARTA, Oct. 6. The United Nations Commission for Indonesia appealed to the Indonesian Government today to halt the present military offensive against the rebel South Moluccas Republic. The commission asked the Government. “ even at this late stage,” to explore further the possibility of a peaceful settlement by accepting the commission’s offer to mediate in the conflict. The appeal was made in a letter handed to the Indonesian Foreign Minister. Mohammed Roem, today, following a request by the Netherlands Government to the commission to “ use all means ” to achieve a cessation of the fighting. The commission officials expect the appeal to be rebuffed by the Indonesian Government on the ground that the South Moluccas problem is purely a domestic issue. The Government earlier turned down an offer by the commission to contact the rebel leaders and perusade them to negotiate, because it said it felt that the commission’s intervention would constitute an encouragement to the rebels because it would create the impression that their case had been brought to international levels.

Meanwhile, according to authoritative sources tonight, Indonesian forces have reached the outskirts of Ambon city, capital of the rebel South Moluccas Republic. The city has been heavily battered by the Indonesian Air Force and Navy, with heavy loss of life and damage. The sources added that the Indonesian forces had occupied the whole of the northern half of the island and the Indonesians hope the offensive will be completed by this week-end.