KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia’s armed forces chief and Defence Minister, General Abdul Haris Nasution, has crushed an uprising against President Soekarno and both he and Soekarno are now “safe and well”, Radio Jakarta reported tonight [Oct 1]. The Radio, monitored in Kuala Lumpur, said “those responsible for the coup have been arrested.”

The attempt to overthrow Dr. Soekarno was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Untung, described as the Commandant of the Presidential Guard. The Jakarta broadcast said army units led by Brigadier-General Suharto, loyal to Gen Nasution, spearheaded the anti-coup drive. Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Achmud Yani was killed during today’s short-lived coup d’état, Radio Jakarta said. — Agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from Hong Kong], half a million people paraded through Peking today to mark the 16th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Republic. Watched by the Communist Party Chairman, Mr Mao Tse-tung and other Chinese leaders, they filed in a broad river of colour past the “Gate of Heavenly Peace”.

The march took place in very hot sunshine to the ceaseless shouts of “Long Live Chairman Mao Tse-tung”. In contrast with the pageantry, the slogans carried by the crowd were down to earth: “Prepare to implement the third Five-Year Plan”, and “We must Liberate Taiwan”.

With the Chinese leaders reviewing the parade was Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, in Peking for the celebrations. Mr Mao Tse-tung, the 71-year-old Communist Party Chairman attended the celebrations banquet. He looked in good health. His arm, as usual, was supported as he mounted the half a dozen steps leading to a rostrum where he chatted with other leaders.

The banquet began with strains of revolutionary music as Mr Mao Tse-tung entered the “Great Hall of the People” with the chief guest of Honour, Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia.

Published in Dawn October 2nd, 2015

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