PM Transcripts

FOR THE PRESS WEST NEW .3UINEA
Statement by the Prime Minister-, Rig. ht Honorable R. G. Menzies
Cabinet has given consideration to recent developments in West
New Guinea. We have in particular been concerned at the latest news of
the dropping of Indonesian troops in and around Merauke.
With every natural desire to live on terms of friendliness
with Indonesia, we find it necessary to point out two things.
Oi ne is that this warlike action is quite inconsistent with the
Otatements publicly and repeatedly made to us, that Indonesia would not
pursue its territorial claim to West New Guinea by force-of arms.
SThe other is that the negotiations recently begun in the
presence of Mr. Bunker after initiating action by the acting Secretary-
General of the United Nations, have yet to be resumed and concluded. We
find it impossible to understand why the processes of peaceful negotiation
should be interrupted and impaired by military aggression...
Wo would like to say, ince more, that we df. siro and will respect
peaceful sftttlement arising fr-' m such negotiation; that active
hostilities can achieve nothing but unnecessary bitterness; and that
peace in this part of the w-rld is important, not only to the nations
mmediately concerned but to the whole future of South East Asia and the
outh West Pacific.
It is also important for the future authority of the United
Nations that international territorial differences should be settled
without either the threat or the use of armed force..