W. Irian: biggest issue for Indonesian people today (Tribune, 10 Januari 1962)

=== [PDF page 1] === Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 10 January 1962, page 3 biggest issue for Irian: Indonesian today of the Union of AusBy Mrs. Gloria Garton, National President tralian Women, who has just returned from a visit to Indonesia. colon The liberation of West Irian from Dutch of great importance to the vast ialism is a matter of the Indonesian people and expresses their masses deep desire to see the whole of their country and their people the COR free Dutch and independent. imperialists only occupy West Irian but organise terrorist activities in other parts of Indonesia, as witness this week's attempt on the life of President Soekarno. not Having a stay just returned from Indonesia, when of 3£ weeks met and spoke with people from all from and organisations many cities, sections of the community villages, I can and towns say_ with certainty: The question of their national and, in particular, independence liberation Irian, is West the single issue tothe far biggest day for the Indonesian people and there which around unity. possible greatest the one is the to Indonesia, as went resentative Women's of the National Library of Australia the repInterhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236251613 === [PDF page 2] === Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 10 January 1962, page 3 (2) resentative Women's Interof the Federation and Democratic national the Union of Australian Women, attend of the Inthe 4th Congress donesian Movement Women's "GerDewani" held in Djakarta from cember 14 to 17. early until other fortogether with January, Congress, eign delegates to the cities able to visit all the main was East and in West, Central Java, as visiting towns smaller well as many villages. and December From 20 Meetings this tour During at very village 2000 rang meetings, many meetings more, and of Java spoke from small meetings cities Jogjakarta, towns like SemaCentral Java. were repre All these meetings sentative, not only of the member ship of Gerwani, but also of almost women's organisations, other all trade peace unions, peasant organisations, and youth, organisations and others. the opportun had In addition, we hav ity of meeting personally and Govern with discussions many ing officials and representatives of ment centres. organisations in the various many the begin from obvious Gerwimi Congress ning, at the itself, confirmed was and by new the that day, experiences each question uppermost in the minds Of the people is the struggle for West was Irian. very despite the This many and economic problems, pressing the confront which otherwise, efforts their donesian people and free build independent than 350 more after Indonesia rule and colonial Dutch years of Japanese several occupa years National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236251613 === [PDF page 3] === Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 10 January 1962, page 3 (3) Japanese several years tion during World occupa War The Indonesian their people and Government do not want to go to over war West Irian and they say if all other will only do they fail. means Like the of all countries, and security and order to carry peace out their many plans for the re construction of their country. peopie they want they need peace not However, they are prepared to sit back indefinitely and allow the Dutch imperialists to continue to occupy West Irian. The Indonesian have government great patience in people and their exercised already this matter. The leaders of a few imperialist countries, the Menzies including have for said years Government, that the IndonesianGovernment should the Dutch negotiate with of the West for a settlement Irian question but, throughout these ne the various gotiations, promises the colonialists made Dutch broken. been have Today, the have the not Indonesian their still satisfactory solution problem years people that when ago they independence. Years them 16 first declared faced Dutch West that their insistence Indonesia be returned Irian must are that they their statements and resort military even prepared Hence action The their all other avenues fail. people feel that Indonesian inde national for struggle not been completed has control remain Dutch the while occu Dutch that and Irian of West contributes also area pation of this pendence National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236251613 === [PDF page 4] === Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 10 January 1962, page 3 (4) threat won have struggle. the after independence they years many remember of them that they the years relatives their themselves, prisons, friends, spent in Dutch fellow their the many and the died who countrymen many Very only too well struggle for national independ ence. National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236251613 === [PDF page 5] === Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 10 January 1962, page 3 (5) ence. known had Although general car the repressive colonialists Dutch ried out by the for Indones against the movement confess to ian independence, I must the number being staggered by measures about people actually met, including who had women, spent con many Dutch prisons siderable periods for their part in the independence struggles of their people. that they feel so wonder about the question of the independence of this remaining part of their country. strongly Everywhere received expressions for greater friendship, mutual trade co-operation, and ties closer between the people of Indonesia and Australia. of the They are very conscious fact are that their closest and want truly neighbors they and be friends good neighbors. the desire Wherever went Indonesia with many met questions and a criticism from the great deal people for the attitude and the role of the Menzies Government regard Irian. ing West was Indonesian people also fact that the Menzies not speak for the does Government Australian people. the majority But the recognise the They not given to have forgotten the their struggle for the Australian independence others and waterside workers 1945 and they believe that, today, the sympathy and they still have Aus sections wide support other tralian working people and country. progressive people of our sistance National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236251613