Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VI

501.BC Indonesia/9–2648: Telegram

The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State ¹

secret
us urgent

Batavia, September 26, 1948—7 p. m.

840. Gocus 395. Reference points 6 and 7 in memo quoted Gocus 371, September 11 covering presentation USDel plan to parties.

Having now received Republican’s acceptance USDel plan as basis negotiations (Gocus 385, September 21), we would, of course, in event we receive Netherlands acceptance, immediately present USDel plan as working paper to GOC and call on parties to resume and conduct negotiations with promptness in sense of Usgoc 141 September 17 [16].

As Dept suggested (Usgoc 143 September 19 [18]), we have thus far maintained considerable flexibility with parties in avoiding setting definite time limit on their replies to our proposals. In addition, as reported Gocus 391, September 25, following receipt by NethDel of message from The Hague that before October 1 substantial contribution to resumption negotiations will come forward on part Netherlands Govt, we requested Hatta and he agreed delay Republican report to SC until Netherlands contributions received (Gocus 394²).

In view Hatta’s having agreed delay report to SC on understanding Netherlands contemplates making substantial contribution resumption negotiations, if such contribution does not include acceptance USDel plan, receipt or non-receipt Netherland’s contribution on or before September 30 will precipitate 1 of contingencies listed below. We anticipate that any one of these contingencies will raise question of presentation of USDel plan as working paper to GOC.

1. Netherlands flatly rejects USDel plan as basis negotiations. Since USDel has made it clear to both parties that rejection of plan by one party would not preclude its submission as working paper to GOC and since Republic has accepted plan, we would consider ourselves bound, having received, views both parties, to present plan to GOC.

2. Netherlands accepts USDel plan on conditions considered by us to be unreasonable and found by Republic to be unacceptable. We inclined to consider such action as tantamount to rejection USDel plan and to proceed as in case of rejection.

3. Netherlands offers counterproposals to USDel plan. We consider that in such case, submission USDel plan to GOC should be dependent upon Republic’s rejection of counterproposals.

4. Netherlands further delays definite decision re USDel plan. We consider that in such case, unless circumstances have materially changed, submission USDel plan to GOC should be made October 1.

View foregoing, we consider it will be necessary immediate future either to present USDel’s plan as working paper to GOC or be prepared to state our reasons for not doing so. We would therefore appreciate Department’s views as soon as possible on procedure to be followed in each of contingencies envisaged above since both Republicans and other two members GOC can reasonably expect action by us one way or other upon receipt Netherlands contribution on or before September 30.

Dept may wish to consider whether useful purpose might be served either by Dept’s acquainting Netherlands authorities Washington and The Hague with Dept’s views foregoing or by our acquainting NethDel with Dept’s views foregoing prior submission USDel plan. We would appreciate hearing specifically from Dept soonest re latter suggestion. Signed Cochran.³

Livengood

1. Repeated in telegram 476, September 28, 3 p. m., to The Hague.
2. Supra.
3. In telegram 457, September 29, 7 p. m. (Usgoc 152), to Batavia, the Department authorized submission of the U.S. delegation plan “in event any of four contingencies enumerated” and said it would so advise the Netherlands Embassy and The Hague. This was done in telegram 480 to The Hague. (501.BC Indonesia/9–2948)