501.BC Indonesia/9–2247: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia
258. Urtel 372 Sept 22. Personal and strictly confidential for Foote. Dept had expected you would furnish preliminary summary (Deptel 246 Sept 1117) any proposed report for Dept’s confidential comment. In this connection, Dept considers functions Consular Committee technical fact-finding and informational with regard nature violations cease-fire order if any and not concerned with measures for rectification situation. Interim report’s clear implication cease-fire order will be impossible implement so long as opposing forces remain present positions seems constitute judgment outside competence committee. Conclusions on basis data submitted by committee matter for determination by SC.
You should be guided by foregoing Dept interpretation in dealing with your colleagues but should not put forward these views to your colleagues as Dept instructions.
In view submission interim report Sept 22 and probable non-arrival US Mil observers before Sept 29, Dept does not think there is compelling necessity fix Sept 30 deadline for submission “final” consular report. If your colleagues wish nevertheless submit further report this date, you should, of course, go along with them. It is obvious, however, such report could only be considered interim in view absence info to be furnished by mil observers and fact committee remains in existence until SC satisfied no further need for reports re compliance cease-fire order.