Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The Far East, Volume VI

856E.01/6–2647: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia

confidential
us urgent

Washington, June 26, 1947—8 p.m.

172. You are requested immediately make following representations appropriate Indonesian Republic authorities, leaving aide-mémoire:¹⁹

1. US Govt is gratified by preliminary reports that Indo Republic and Neth Govt representatives have made substantial progress towards agreement for the prompt formation of an interim federal govt for all Indonesia. This Govt has viewed with increasing alarm the danger inherent in failure to implement the Linggadjati Agreement. The US must necessarily be concerned with developments in Indonesia because of the importance of Indonesia as a factor in the world’s stability, both economic and political. We wish, therefore, to stress to the Indonesian Republic the suffering likely to result from further deadlock. We wish also to point out the benefits which will flow from a prompt agreement and a cooperative endeavor to overcome the problems with which Indonesia is confronted.

2. This Govt believes that the immediate formation of an interim central govt for Indonesia, established upon the principle of federation, as proposed by the Neth Govt and as accepted in principle by the Indonesian Republic is urgently necessary. In our reading of Linggadjati Agreement, it is clear a transition period was envisaged (between now and Jan 1949) during which Neth retains sovereignty and ultimate authority in Indonesia. We therefore urge Indo-Republic cooperate without delay in immediate formation of an interim federal govt. We are confident when agreement thereon achieved, remaining issues can be resolved in spirit of good will.

3. It is this Govt’s expectation that establishment interim Govt on basis mutually beneficial both sides will provide political stability essential to development positive program of economic rehabilitation. This Govt is prepared therefore after interim Govt is established and mutual cooperation along constructive path assured to discuss if desired with representatives of Neth and of interim Govt (including representatives of the Republic and other constituent areas) financial aid (Deptel 132, May 16²⁰) to assist in the economic rehabilitation of Indo.

Advise Van Mook content foregoing.²¹

Sent Batavia 172; repeated The Hague as 315; and London as 2760.

Marshall

19. The Consul General reported in telegram 251, June 28, 3 p.m., that the aide-mémoire was delivered to an Indonesian representative in Batavia on June 28, and the Department informed Batavia the same day in telegram 176 that it had no objection to publication of the document (856E.01/6–2847).
20. Same as telegram 231 to The Hague, p. 924.
21. Telegram 446, June 30, 3 p.m., from The Hague, reported the reaction of the Netherlands Foreign Office as follows: “The Netherlands Government believe that the interest shown by the American Government may as yet prove most helpful in solving the deadlock which at present exists in Indonesia. It is therefore that Her Majesty’s Government may express the earnest hope that the American Government will continue to urge the Indonesian authorities concerned to cooperate without delay in reaching a fair and reasonable solution to the serious difficulties that are being encountered.” (856E.01/6–3047)