Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII

856E.00/2–746

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Vincent)

[Washington,] February 7, 1946.

Participants:	Charles E. Bohlen39 (in London);
	John Carter Vincent, FE;
	Hugh S. Cumming, NOE;
	Abbot Low Moffat, SEA.40

Mr. Bohlen telephoned from London to state that the Ukrainian resolution [letter] on Indonesia⁴¹ was coming up at five o’clock (London time) in the afternoon and that Mr. Stettinius was very anxious to know whether the Secretary approved the view of the delegation that we should take the same position with regard to Indonesia as had been taken with regard to Greece;⁴² that the presence of British troops in Indonesia does not constitute a threat to international peace and security.

He was informed that the Secretary approved the suggested position and that a telegraphic reply to DelUn 232⁴³ had already been signed by the Secretary but was awaiting this telephone call before despatch.⁴⁴

Mr. Bohlen said that everyone hoped that a solution on the Indonesian resolution could be had without a battle such as was involved in the Greek resolution and he read a statement which Mr. Stettinius proposed to give at the conclusion of the Council discussion (copy attached).⁴⁵ Mr. Bohlen explained that this statement was based on the belief that the British and Dutch views were similar to ours; that if they should prove different some modifications in the language of Mr. Stettinius’ statement would have to be made. He stated that Mr. Cohen⁴⁶ was in full accord.

[Security Council consideration of the Ukrainian letter began at the February 7 meeting and continued through meetings on February 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Most of the discussion revolved around the question of whether there should be a commission created by the Council to investigate the situation in Indonesia (a proposal formally moved by the Ukraine on February 11). This proposal and two related ones presented by Egypt and the Soviet Union were lost in voting taken on February 13, and the matter was then considered closed.

The only statement of substance made by the United States Representative was based on the one under discussion in the above memorandum and occurred on February 11; see United Nations, Official Records of the Security Council, First Year, First Series, No. 1, pp. 235–237. In the essential portion of his statement Mr. Stettinius said: “Without going into the question of the Security Council’s jurisdiction in this case, I must state frankly that I do not believe that it has been made clear to the Council that a constructive purpose is to be served by an investigation. We know that negotiations between the Netherlands Government and the Indonesian leaders have already begun, and I am sure that the best hope for the settlement of this unhappy situation, and for the elimination of any possibility for a renewal of armed strife in that troubled area, lies in the successful and prompt completion of these negotiations. It would indeed be a serious responsibility for the Council to take any action which might prejudice or retard the outcome of these negotiations. …” (ibid., pp. 236 and 237.)]

39. Assistant to the Secretary of State for White House liaison.
40. Chief, Division of Southeast Asian Affairs.
41. For text of Ukrainian letter submitted to the President of the UN Security Council on January 21, see United Nations, Official Records of the Security Council, First Year, First Series, Supplement No. 1, p. 76. In the opinion of the Ukrainian Government, the military operations in Indonesia participated in and controlled by “regular British troops” created a situation constituting “a threat to the maintenance of international peace and security” under Article 34 of the Charter. The Council was asked “to carry out the necessary investigation and to take the measures provided for by the Charter in order to put an end to the situation that has arisen.”
42. For documentation regarding the Greek case before the Security Council, see vol. vii, pp. 99–115, passim.
43. February 5, from London, not printed.
44. This reply was sent to London in telegram 1286, UNdel 176, February 7, 1 p.m.; it said in part: “U.S. position in Dec 26 paper (USGA/Gen/26 [29]) is unchanged. Issue raised by Ukraine however is not directed at substance of Dutch Indonesian situation but at use of British military forces in Netherlands East Indies. I approve your suggestion we take position that presence British troops for purposes outlined in [Dept] Press Release December 19 does not constitute situation endangering international peace and security.” (501.BB/2–546)
45. Not attached to file copy of this document.
46. Benjamin V. Cohen, Counselor of the Department of State, and a senior adviser on the U. S. delegation to the General Assembly.