501.BC Indonesia/9–148: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia
us urgent
niact
396. Usgoc 133. Re Gocus 3601 and further to Deptel 394, Aug. 31. Dept agrees with your conviction deteriorating situation makes imperative plan for political settlement be formulated and presented parties by GOC at earliest possible moment. We believe period 3 to 4 weeks as suggested should be reduced substantially if at all possible.
In view Hague tel 557, Aug. 28, to effect draft overall agreement received Cabinet approval and forwarded Batavia, we believe immediate step should be submission such draft agreement by Neth Del to Republic through GOC as basis prompt resumption negotiations and apportunity GOC reconcile ensuing differences. Dept will take steps urge this action with Neth Emb here and suggest you likewise urge such course action on Neth Del. We believe by so doing Neth will take important step restoring lost confidence their intentions although we do not anticipate Neth suggested agreement will be entirely acceptable.
At same time Neth draft agreement is presented, we believe US Del’s plan based upon revised US-Aus working paper and taking into account Neth draft should be ready for submission to GOC and if possible approved by GOC for submission to parties within week or 10 days after receipt of Neth plan. This connection, Dept approves your numbered suggestion 1 that US paper will be in form of draft agreement as well as your numbered suggestion 2 that it should be in form of oral note. While we have no objection to full discussion your draft with both parties as oral note prior its presentation to GOC, we do not believe its submission GOC should be delayed unduly to take account parties’ objections. Moreover, Dept fears should USDel discuss its paper with Neth without at same time making it available to Repub, US reputation for impartiality wuold thereby be impaired and such action would be difficult defend in SC.
Re your numbered para 3a, we favor your paper being presented to GOC as US working paper. Dept would appreciate meanwhile receiving your estimate what changes may be necessary in US-Aus working paper as revised by Dept to obtain acceptance Aus and Belgian representatives. In event changes required obtain acceptance all concerned [Page 315] are irreconcilable, Dept would appreciate your opinion as to what changes are essential for obtaining workable settlement.
Subject above comments Dept approves procedures outlined Gocus 360 with exception para 5 which unclear.