187. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Kennedy0
SUBJECT
- Discussion of West New Guinea with Sukarno
I have noted from your letter to Prime Minister Macmillan1 that you are considering urging Sukarno to help improve the world atmosphere by starting fruitful negotiations with the Dutch on West New Guinea. There are certain developments which have occurred recently, pertinent to this proposed course of action, which I wish to bring to your attention.
During Sukarno’s world tour last spring he met with private Dutch businessmen here in Washington and elsewhere. General Nasution also met with Dutch politicians and businessmen when he was in Europe this summer. According to reports the Indonesians indicated readiness to resume normal diplomatic and commercial relations if the Dutch would agree in advance to transfer West New Guinea to Indonesia. The Dutch government has disavowed these private efforts and has reaffirmed its policy which insists that the inhabitants of the disputed territory be given the right of self-determination.
Within the past week we have learned that the Dutch intend to introduce into the UN General Assembly a resolution to establish a Visiting Mission to West New Guinea to report on conditions in the territory. The Dutch hope thereby to “internationalize” the problem and thus forestall military action by Indonesia. We understand that the Dutch have some flexibility concerning the terms of reference of such a mission. Over the past few weeks we have held exploratory talks with Dutch Embassy on this problem during which we indicated our belief that the UN represents the most reasonable hope for a solution. I am convinced that the present Dutch Government is not prepared to undertake direct negotiations with the Indonesians at this time. As a very minimum the Indonesians would have to initiate a move to re-establish diplomatic relations before the Dutch would even consider sitting down to talk with them.
[Page 423]Sukarno severed diplomatic relations with the Netherlands in August 1960 over the West New Guinea issue.
In view of these developments I believe that you may not wish to urge Sukarno to deal directly with the Dutch since he might well reply that he is ready and has in fact made himself available to responsible Dutch citizens. Sukarno might then suggest that the United States persuade the Netherlands to this course of action. Under the present circumstances we have little hope of convincing the Dutch that such negotiations are in their interest and we risk being charged by them with being indifferent to an ally’s interest at this crucial time. Therefore, I recommend that you approach the question of possible direct Dutch-Indonesian negotiations from the point of view of obtaining information in the matter, rather than as a direct recommendation by the United States.
- Source: Kennedy Library, President’s Office File, Countries, Indonesia, Security, Sukarno–Keita Visit, 9/13/61. No classification marking. Assistant Secretary Tyler urged Rusk to send this memorandum, which was drafted by Beaudry, to President Kennedy, fearing that “the President might be put in an exposed position if he should urge this step on Sukarno because we are convinced that the Dutch Government is not at this time prepared to negotiate directly with Sukarno.” (Memorandum from Tyler to Rusk, September 8, with attached memorandum from Rusk to Kennedy; Department of State, Central Files, 656.9813/9–861)↩
- Not further identified.↩