Press Dispute Mars Reagans’ Arrival in Bali

BALI, Indonesia —  President Reagan, bearing a “message of freedom” for Asian allies, arrived to a lush welcome in the Orient today, but Indonesian authorities promptly expelled two Australian journalists in Reagan’s entourage.

A third reporter, Barbara Crossette of the New York Times, who had come on her own, was also ordered out of the country after writing stories critical of Indonesian President Suharto, a friend reported.

Richard Palfreyman and James Middleton, Washington-based correspondents for the Australian Broadcasting Corp., were ordered off the press plane accompanying Reagan, detained briefly in the airport terminal here, then told to leave the country on the next plane to Tokyo.

Australian Newsmen Banned

Suharto banned all Australian journalists after a Sidney newspaper published an article alleging corruption in his government.

President Reagan regretted the decision by the Indonesians to deny entry to the journalists, presidential spokesman Larry Speakes said.

“The President wishes everyone could have come in,” he said.

Reagan and his wife, Nancy, received a sumptuous reception upon their arrival at this Indonesian island.

They were greeted by Suharto and his wife Tien and led down a red-carpeted receiving line as young girls in native costume tossed flowers in their path.

Thousands of Balinese welcomers lined the five-mile motorcade route between the airport and the beachside resort hotel where the Reagans are staying.

Reagan is to rest on Wednesday, then meet with foreign ministers of the six-nation Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Thursday.

His visit to this archipelago nation is a way stop on his trip to Tokyo for the May 4-6 economic summit of industrialized democracies.

Asians gather for talks. Page 10.