War Draws

Nearer In Wes[?]

New Guinea

The Netherlands New Gu situation in March continue build up politically towards climax that has long been pected by the West and proir by Indonesia—that of full ! attack by the Indonesians Dutch New Guinea.

INDONESIAN and Nether delegates sat down to secret in the presence of a third (American) but by arrangement both sides no details were public. The talks were “in the vi of Washington”.

On March 23 the negotiations adjourned for a few days to e delegates to consult their gc ments, but on March 26 the N lands announced that “with in( tion” it had learned that whil secret talks were going on, Ind( “had not only undertaken son newed infiltration attempts in 1 but in addition an Indonesian be had made a sudden and unpro attack on a Royal Netherlands vessel (a landing craft) lying bay off the island of Gag”.

The infiltrations were on the of Waigeo.

The talks appeared to be i and the Dutch appeared to be and more out on a limb.

Australia continued to pa service, and nothing else, to the to assist the Dutch in their ta defending the natives of against oppression (see Cat Commentary, p. 24.) But as General Nasution, nesia’s Defence Minister, sa; Djakarta on April 2, Holland not now rely on British, US or tralian support.

“Very soon we shall be : enough on land, sea and air 1 stroy Dutch forces in West 1 said Nasution.

In early March, eight native bers of the New Guinea G protested to US President Ke in a cable about statements ma his brother US Attorney G Robert Kennedy. Mr. I Kennedy is reported to have Indonesia has a strong argume claiming West New Guinea an< really very little had been do educate the Papuans.