India recognizes Indonesia first

India recognizes Indonesia first

In the article President sets up committee for RI anniversary (The Jakarta Post, March 7, 1995), Emil Salim is quoted as stating that "Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the first countries to recognize Indonesia."

Surely that is not correct. To the best of my knowledge, it was India that recognized Indonesia first -- followed by the United States, France, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, The Holy See, Australia and Norway.

Also, "the support of the Myanmar government" (i.e. U Nu's government) should be seen in the wider framework of their role in generating Asian solidarity for the Republic. Professor Herb Feith pointed out to me recently that Than Tun (uncle of the Nobel Peace Prize Awardee Aung San Suu Kyi, and minister in U Nu's government), happened to be in Yogyakarta during the Dutch attack in December 1948. He then flew back to Rangoon and got U Nu to send a high-powered delegation to Delhi to get Nehru to do something for Indonesia. Nehru responded by hosting the Asian Relations conference at the end of January 1949. This was a conference of free Asian states and the Dutch attack on Indonesia was its principal agenda.

MARIANNE KATOPPO

Jakarta