856E.00/3–1247

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Assistant Chief of the Division of Southeastern Asian Affairs (Lacy)

confidential
Participants: Mr. Alfred Stirling, Minister, Australian Embassy;
Mr. John H. Morgan,31 NOE;
Mr. W. S. B. Lacy, SEA.

Subject: Australian Proposal to Raise Indonesian Situation in Security Council.

Mr. Stirling called yesterday at his request and handed Mr. Lacy the attached copy of a telegram from the Australian Prime Minister to the Australian Ambassador in Washington.32 Mr. Lacy agreed on that occasion to communicate the Department’s views as soon as possible.

Accordingly Mr. Stirling called at Mr. Lacy’s request March 12, at 2:30 p.m., and was advised by Mr. Morgan and Mr. Lacy that in view of the very recent approval of the Cheribon Agreement by the Indonesian Central National Committee and in view of the Department’s understanding that the Dutch Government at present takes an optimistic view of the possibility of early ratification of the Agreement, as well as of the situation in Indonesia as a whole, the Department was disinclined to adopt a new course of action in respect of the Indonesian [Page 904] situation at the present time. Mr. Stirling was advised that the Department would receive with interest any information which the Australian Government might possess indicating that the Indonesian situation was further deteriorating and that should new developments occur in Indonesia foreshadowing a further deterioration in the relations between the Dutch and the Indonesians, the Department would be happy to consider any proposals suggested by the Australian Government for a peaceful solution of the problem.

W[illiam] S. B. L[acy]
  1. Associate Chief of the Division of Northern European Affairs.
  2. Norman J. O. Makin was Australian Ambassador; and Joseph B. Chifley, Prime Minister; telegram not printed.