EMBARLGO : NOT TO BE 3ROADCAST, PGjLISHED OR
TELECST BEFOieE 7 PM ( EST) 3/ 2/ 1965.
FOR PRESS S P. M. No, 12162
FURTHER AUSTRALIAi' MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR
Statement by t e AtinPrime Minister. the Rt. Hon. J. McEwen
Mr. J. McEwen, the Acting Prime Minister said this
evening that members of Cabinet have been closely following
recent developments in the Malaysian area and have given
consideration to a request for further aid received from the
Malaysian Government.
" The Australian Government has now decided to extend
further military assistance for the defence of the area," he
said. Mr. M. Ewen said that the Australian Governmaent viewed
with concern the substantial continuing build-up of Indonesian
forces in Borneo and the steady increase in infiltration acro. gs
the Malacca and Singapore Straits into Malaya and Singapore.
This heavy build-up has been reported to the President of the
U. N. Security Council by the Malaysian Government which has
advised the Security Council of the seriousness ol the threat
of more intensive Indonesian attacks against Malaysia in 1965.
These developments had already required the British
Government to deploy considerable reinforcements to the area.
In view of all the circumstances and in accordance with
the pledge pre-viously given, the Australian Government had
concluded that the deployment of additional Australian field
units into Borneo in the defence of Malaysia was now necessary.
He said that an Australian engineer squadron had been
for some time assisting in road and airfield construction in
the Borneo territories.
An Australian force is now to serve in this area, in
company with Malaysian and British forces.
This would be the Australian battalion in the Commonwealth
Strategic Reserve in Malaya. On this arrangement, this
battalion. would now scrve in Borneo in rotation with Malaysian
and British units. In addition, an Army Special Air Service
unit from Australia would be made available to carry out
appropriate military tasks in the defence of Malaysia. This
unit will also serve, as required, in rotation with British
units in the Borneo territories.
Mr. M: Ewen said that, in addition to the current defence
aid programme which would continue throughout this year, further
aid proposals for the development of the Malaysian Armed Services
were also under examination by technical experts. The result
would be placed before the Australian Government in the near
future. Mr. McEwen said that he had been in communication with
Sir Robert Menzies while the situation was under study. / 2
2
Mr. McEwen stressed the Australian Government's deep
concern at the atmosphere of tension and conflict ^% cih the
Indonesian " confrontation" policy had produced. Thfe Au: t::' alian
Government would continue to use all its influence-for
peaceful outcome in full awareness that the p a'Yndis economic
development of the region of South East Asia deper, ded on
conditions of security and stability.
Mr. McEwen said that the Australian Go'-rnnment believed
that the restoration of peace in the area would d.;, pend on
observance of the principle of respect for the political and
territorial integrity of the member countries c tne area.
Mr. McEwen recalled his statement of 18th January that the
Australian Government continued to hope for char-ges in
Indonesian policy which would allow peace, security and
prosperity to be established in the area.
Mr. McEwen said that these new decisions were relevant
to the Australian pledge to support Malaysia in defence of her
territorial integrity and political independence. " Malaysia,"
he pointed out, " is our Commonwealth partner and near neighbour."
Mr. McEwen recalled that Australian forces have been
stationed for some ten years in the Malayan area as port of
the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve, and have already been
engaged on sea, land and in the air, pursuant to the policy
of maintaining the integrity and independence of a Commonwealth
country. " Some six ships of the he said, " have been
engaged in patrolling and other duties in Malaysian waters."
The Australian Army battalion group had made a
significant contribution in dealing with the Communist guerillas
on the Malayan Peninsula and had more recently acted against
Indonesian infiltrators in Malaya The RAAF had fighter aircraft,
helicopters and transport aircraft stationed in Malaya.
Mr. McEwen said that, as is known, in addition to the
deployment of forces, Australia had also provided military aid
in the form of equipment, ammunition, training in Australia
and secondment of Australian officers to the Malaysian Armed
Services, with a view to assisting the development and expansion
of these Services.
CANBERRPJL, 3rd February, 1965.