DR. SUBANDRIO BEING GREETED AT THE TOKYO AIRPORT BY MR. SHIINA, AND THE INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN.




Initials DS/V/MR/PC



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Background: DR. SUBANDRIO, INDONESIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ARRIVED IN TOKYO YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) FOR TOP LEVEL TALKS WHICH MIGHT LAY THE GROUND WORK FOR SETTLEMENT OF THE MALAYSIAN CRISIS. DURING HIS THREE DAY STAY IN TOKYO, HE WILL HAVE MEETINGS WITH MR. SATO, THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, AND MR. SHIINA, THE FOREIGN MINISTER.

MOST OF THE DISCUSSIONS ARE EXPECTED TO CENTRE ON THE MALAYSIAN DISPUTE AND INDONESIA'S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNITED NATIONS. EARLIER, JAPAN HAD HINTED THAT IT WOULD ATTEMPT TO SUE ITS GOOD OFFICES TO MEDIATE IN THE CRISIS AND PAVE THE WAY FOR A MEETING BETWEEN THE HEADS OF STATE OF INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA.

INDONESIA HAS WELCOMED JAPAN'S OFFER AND HAS INDICATED THAT IT WOULD BE WILLING TO LISTEN TO PROPOSALS THAT MIGHT LEAD TO SUMMIT MEETING TO SOLVE THE MALAYSIAN PROBLEM. INDONESIA HAS INDICATED THAT THE PHILIPPINES, WHICH HAS CLAIMS TO PART OF BORNEO, WOULD HAVE TO BE INCLUDED IN ANY POSSIBLE DISCUSSIONS.