"Cynical abandonment"

in W. New Guinea

Comments on the world political situation, mostly seen through the eyes of her husband, are an interesting facet of “Ambassador’s Wife”, by Jean Spender, wife of former Aus tralian diplomat and president of the International Court of Justice, Sir Percy Spender, which has just been published by Angus and Robertson ($4.25).

Talking of Sir Percy’s view on Indonesia’s claim to West New Guinea, in the debate which arose during Sir Percy’s term as Australian Ambassador to the US, Lady Spender says her husband held the firm opinion that Indonesian’s claim had no basis, and that all the peoples of the island of New Guinea should be left to work out a common destiny. The UN resolution to hand over the people of West New Guinea without their consent, to Indo nesia, was in Sir Percy’s view “the most cynical abandonment by that organisation of the basic principle of self-determination of peoples”.

Lady Spender adds: “Fine words were used to smother up the deal. I am unhappy to say my husband’s beliefs seem to be borne out by what has taken place since”.