856E.00/8–1247: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Foote) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
322. Deptel 216, August 8. Was in Djocjakarta all day yesterday and returned Batavia late in evening. Trip made in Beechcraft plane of US Navy.
As I thought, Indonesians had not faintest idea of meaning good offices and appeared to think any nation offering same was agreeing to act as sort of private attorney to defend Republic’s cause before Security Council. Soekarno opened conversation by saying Republic had accepted our good offices in principle and that it had also accepted on August 10 same offer from Australia.
Then in presence of most of Indo Cabinet I made careful explanation of meaning good offices. Soekarno and Sjarifoeddin then said Republic was in most difficult situation since it had requested action by Security Council prior to our offer. They repeated several times that Republic wanted arbitration by Security Council. Minister of Interior [Education], Sastroamidjojo, then asked if US offer good offices was meant to exclude action by Security Council. I dodged question by saying US Government was member of the Council and that Council knew of our offer.
Soekarno said Republic would certainly demand de jure recognition of sovereign Republic; that he knew Dutch would oppose same and that was reason why they approached Security Council. He repeated Sjarifoeddin’s former statement that Republic wished nominate member of Council’s arbitration committee. Continued in mytel 323.
Department pass London, Hague.