501.BC Indonesia/1–648: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia 1
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8. For Graham No. 43. Dept gratified principles described numbered paras. 1 thru 7 urtel 84, Jan 6 (not received at time of Rusk’s2 telephone conversation). Dept believes this approach eminently fair and manifestly practical and should form basis of settlement which will be favorably received by SC and world opinion.
We believe urtel 84 provides an eventual settlement firmly grounded in right principle of self-determination and the right of peoples to determine for themselves at the time of the elections their political relationship to the USI, to the Republic, or to any component of the USI.
Reference international observation mentioned numbered para. 4 urtel 84, Dept considers essential this be clarified to mean observation by GOC or subsidiary of GOC to remain in area for that purpose. Dept strongly wishes to avoid necessity for creation of other groups by SC raising difficult political questions of membership. Moreover Dept wishes to avoid commitment involving despatch to Indonesia of large numbers observers as was requisite in case of Greek elections.
Dept agrees with you that speed of events in Indonesia requires that GOC promptly take unequivocal position. Dept prepared to assist you in every possible way to facilitate settlement predicated on principles your 84. Therefore following your suggestion, Dept is now discussing informally with Neth Emb proposals urtel 84.
Dept considers it highly important that settlement based on principles urtel 84 be formally offered to Dutch as GOC proposals and that Dutch acceptance take place on Renville,3 not in Washington. Upon your advice that proposals have been accepted by GOC and offered as GOC proposals to parties, Dept will make additional and more formal approach Dutch Emb Washington.
- Repeated in telegram 9, January 9, noon, to The Hague.↩
- Dean Rusk, Director, Office of Special Political Affairs; on January 28, Director, Office of United Nations Affairs.↩
- U.S.S. Renville, a naval transport offered by the United States for discussions between the Netherlands and Indonesian Republic representatives at Batavia.↩