Indonesia

Mrs. RATU AMINAH HIDAJAT, Vice-President of the Constituant Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia

The W.I.D.F.’s IVth Congress in Vienna and the discussion on the problem of peace will be significant contribution to the preservation of mankind.

The movement against the testing of A and H bombs is not new in Indonesia, but it has not yet reached its peak.

The first committee set up on this matter was called the National Committee against A and H bombs. I am the Vice-Chairman, and Dr. Sukarno is Chairman of this Committee.

The first actions undertaken were to explain to the public the dangers of an explosion of an atomic bomb.

The following organisations took part in these actions: The National Committee against A and H bombs; The Movement of Mothers against A and H bombs; the Indonesian Council for Afro-Asian Solidarity; The Indonesian Peace Committee.

All these four organisations co-operated for the same purpose, to apprise the testing of A and H bombs, and to maintain world peace. They are now merged into one organization called the Temporary Committee against A and H bombs which organized an Anti A and H Bomb Week with the following programme:

- A mass meeting. - The showing of a film about A and B bombs and the results of an explosion. - A poster campaign, exhibition, etc.

The Indonesian people are conscious that the atomic danger is everybody's concern. Therefore the Temporary Committee intends to increase its numbers and to arrange a meeting with all mass organizations and political parties so as to set up a Permanent Committee which will be able to work more efficiently.

A statement of the Indonesian people was presented at the big meeting. The statement includes the following appeal: "The Indonesian people followed with apprehension the news of the starting of a series of H bomb explosions on Christmas Island, by the British Government, and the intended series of H bomb explosions on the island of Enewetok by the United States Government this summer. These two areas in the Pacific Ocean are very near to Indonesia. According to the reports of the Atomic Energy Commission of the USA, the region which will be affected by the explosions on Enewetok is more than one million square kilometers in area, which means a direct danger to Indonesia."

Explosions of nuclear weapons sharpen international tension by encouraging other countries, for instance, France and West Germany, to make efforts to produce atomic weapons, which will bring the world nearer to the danger of an atomic war.

This results in growing protests throughout the world. Governments, Parliaments, various big organizations, famous scientists in many countries have demanded the immediate ending of such explosions. Now the Government of the U.S.S.R. has unilaterally stopped all their nuclear tests.

The Indonesian people strongly protest against the continuation of A and H bomb tests and urge the countries who still possess these weapons and who are continuing the explosions to follow the example of the government of the U.S.S.R. as soon as possible.

The Indonesian people are convinced that in spite of the many obstacles with which they are faced, their strength and good will can save mankind now and in the future from destruction.

The Indonesian fully support the efforts for using atomic energy only for the welfare of mankind.

The women of Indonesia are actively taking part in the struggle to maintain peace and to oppose A and H bomb tests. Together with the people of the whole world we will work to maintain peace. The resolution on this matter which will be taken and adopted by all of us in this Congress is of very great importance. It represents what is fear to the hearts of women all over the world.