501.BC Indonesia/5–1148: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia
us urgent
niact
203. Usgoc 100. Re Gocus 261, May 10 and 262, May 11, Dept has predicated its current policy on supposition that in general Neth has satisfactorily complied with Renville agreements and indeed has shown itself more eager than Repub to bring negotiations to successful conclusion within framework Renville agreements (Gocus 229, [Page 173] Apr 16). Dept’s predicates this respect also based on USDel’s tels prior to Gocus 261 and 262 which has led Dept to believe that Repub employed various dilatory tactics during course of negotiations, at least since last March.
Prior receipt Gocus 261 and 262, Dept had not been aware that Dutch were delaying negotiations or that Repub had communicated protests to GOC during past 2 months without results or acknowledgments from GOC. Dept considered latter allegation by Tjoa as reflection on GOC’s integrity and assumed GOC itself would as matter of course find means to answer such a charge. With respect Tjoa’s other allegations, Dept is, of course, familiar, on basis urtels, with conditions which gave rise to them.
Dept prepared to continue to press Dutch to come forward with plan along lines that proposed Gocus 229 unless, on basis further reports from you, there is evidence Dept should amend its policy. In light of views expressed in Gocus 261 and 262, Dept will hold in abeyance further overtures to Dutch here until Dept has had opportunity consider additional reports from you. As you are aware, Dept hopes that Dutch position all across board will be made unassailable both in substance and appearance so that US can effectively influence Repub to reach political settlement. This connection, Dept would appreciate hearing from you as to whether (a) you consider trade restrictions should be modified with consequence that Dept revise its position in respect of Fox, Isbrandtsen and other commercial transactions between Repub and US nationals (Deptels 161, Apr 21 & 184, May 51), (b) you believe Dept should revise its position in respect of loan (Deptel 188, May 7), (c) you believe Dept should attempt revise its position in respect of forthcoming discussions SC (Deptel 187, May 7), (d) you consider other points raised Gocus 261 and 262 should lead to modification Dept’s policy as previously expressed to you. In making specific suggestions, it would be helpful if you give Dept your analysis of likelihood unanimous GOC support such proposals and unanimous GOC effort secure parties’ acceptance.
With respect to Neth position that TNI be totally disbanded, Dept continues support DuBois’ proposal, Gocus 108 [180], March 15 for pari passu reduction Neth and Repub forces partly through demobilization and partly through absorption in defense forces of interim govt during transition period and thereafter of USI. Dept at present uninformed status that suggestion.
Dept convinced that Neth neither inclined nor able to undertake “settlement by force”. Furthermore Dept has been assured on several [Page 174] occasions by Netherlands Ambassador that Dutch would not undertake further “police action” unless requested by UN or Repub govt.
As you are aware, Dept’s basic policy is to lend its fullest support to prompt implementation Renville agreements by both parties. It is for this reason that Dept informally discussed a plan with Neth reps here almost identical to that proposed Gocus 229 even before such a plan had been recommended by USDel (Deptel 163, Apr. 22). One consequence of Dept’s approach to Dutch was request from Dutch that we coordinate in detail our efforts with them in attempting persuade Repub authorities to agree to reasonable settlement entirely within framework Renville agreement. Dept, as recent indication its willingness on occasion to coordinate its approach with Dutch, provided Neth Emb reps with paraphrase Deptel 97, May 7 to you. Dept, of course, has not and does not intend to make practice of providing Neth reps with Dept’s instructions to USDel.
Sent Batavia as 203; rptd The Hague as 191.
- Latter not printed.↩