Evening star., 1950-03-01
WOn1en's
Clubs
Indonesion Envoy
Tells of Problems
Facing South Asia
By Ruth Deon

The influence and prestige of
the United States In Southeast
Asia will depend In great part on
Its attitude toward Indones:a, the
new Indonesian Ambassador, DR..
Ali Sastroamidjojo, told the Wom-
ems National Press Club yester-
day.
The Ambassador comment
was made during a question pc
riod following an address at a
luncheon meeting at the May
flower Hotel.
In his talk. the speaker out
lined problems that face the new
United States of Indonesia and
declared that assistance from the
West is of the utmost importe nee
if our hopes are to be fulfilled"
t'Indonesia Is one aspect of the
general picture South Asia gives,
a picture of social revolution that
is ssurging throughout most of the
area" the Ambassador said. "The
West can contribute very much in
preserving the democratic devel-
opments in this area. A positive
association with this movement,
through financial, technical and
educational assistance, will bring
the revolution its fulfillment in
the right way"
AS far as Indonesia's relations
with the Netherlands are con-
cerned, he expressed confidence
that the treaty which was made
last December will be the ex-
ample of cooperation between
East and West"
The Ambassador defined In
donesia's economic situation. One
of it's biggest problems, he said, is
the heavy pressure of population
on its food supply. He suggested
that transmigration of popula-
tion from crowded areas coupled
with foreign capital investment
will increase food production over
prewar levels.
Hand in hand with the food
problem, Indonesia is tackhng the
task of social reform, the Ambas-
sador asserted. The governments
Seven Point Program will attempt
to achieve such goals as i'm
proved education, strengthened
campaigns against diseases. better
housing, the establishment of
farmers co-operatives and the in
PRODUCTION of new labor legisla-
ton, he declared.
In the field of labor, he pointed
out, the program is aimed at COL
lective labor contracts. restrie-
tions on the employment of wom-
en-, the abolition of child labor and
job placement for veterans.
Since Indonesia was principally
an agricultural country before the
war, its rehabilitation is being di-
rected toward introduction of a
more diversified economy, the
speaker stated. 1--WE are thinking
OF developing more power plants,
the expansion Of the textile in
dustry, processing of raw ma
terials and the fabrication OF work
tools.,' he said.
The Ambassador listed lack of
capital and 4 middle class as an
other problem which his new
country faces. THAT is why" he
declared, 1--WE have to encourage
foreign capital investment, thus
enabling the expansion of the ex-
ploitation of natural resources"
As to Indonesia's relationship
to other South Asian governments,
the Ambassador commented in
answer to a question following
his talk, my government hasn't
recognized the Bao Dai govern
ment in Indo-China."
Miss Jane Stafford, president of
the club, introduced the speaker.
Other honor guests included the
Ambassadors wife, and Eoedarpo
Sastrosatomo, director of the in
formation Office of the Indonesian
Republic, and the Governor of
Puerto Rico and Sonora Luis
MunOZ Marin