Jan. 17, 1964 - Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy declared today that he was encouraged by progress made in Tokyo toward settlement of the Malaysia-Indonesia dispute. His comment followed meetings with President Sukarno of Indonesia at which he urged Mr. Sukarno to curb guerrilla raids into Sarawak and Sabah (North Borneo), the Malaysian territories bordering on Indonesian Borneo. Mr. Kennedy, acting as special envoy of President Johnson, spoke at a news conference after meeting this morning for the second time in two days with Mr. Sukarno, who has been vacationing in Japan. It was apparent from Mr. Kennedy’s remarks that he had not obtained firm assurance from Mr. Sukarno that the latter would cease to support the Indonesian Borneo raiders. But Mr. Kennedy plans to see President Sukarno again next Wednesday in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. The Attorney General will make quick visits to Manila and Kuala Lumpur in the next few days. Mr. Kennedy said it was “very possible” that a new meeting of the three Southeast Asian leaders would take place to deal with the Malaysian dispute.
The Attorney General has taken the position that the interests of the United States are directly involved in preserving peace in the Southeast Asia region. Washington is said to be deeply concerned about the increasing tempo of the guerrilla clashes and apprehensive about the possibilities of large-scale fighting developing in the next six weeks. Once a cease-fire is attained, the U.S. is hopeful that a peace conference among the Asian nations directly involved — Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines — can be brought about. It was understood that Mr. Kennedy had been careful to avoid making any statements that President Sukarno might interpret as a threat. He is hopeful of reaching an understanding with the Indonesian leader. The Johnson Administration is eager to maintain friendly relations with Indonesia and to continue its program of technical assistance and deliveries of surplus farm products to the Southeast Asian nation. Mr. Kennedy is scheduled to leave tonight for Korea, where he wishes primarily to spend a day with the United States troops stationed there.
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