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

501.BC Indonesia/2–2548: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)

confidential

Washington, February 25, 1948—8 p. m.

91. Following considerations of Dept policy for your guidance in Indonesian case:

1. Dept wishes to avoid casting any doubt on our firm support of Renville political principles. In this connection we consider it of utmost importance that Indonesia Republic’s confidence in US be maintained.

2. We regard as an essential of political principles [a] provision for plebiscites in all territory formerly held by Republic and therefore consider any new state in West Java as subject to future plebiscite after period of freedom of discussion.

3. We regard GOC as being enabled by original resolution of Aug. 25 to make suggestions without first awaiting assent of parties as well as to make public such suggestions by reporting to SC. SC debates indicate this as general sense of Council. We also believe GOC has such additional powers as parties themselves request. Therefore in voting on any resolutions before SC we would favor affirmative vote where functions of GOC are not enlarged beyond above scope. We would not wish to abstain or vote against any resolution because of fears of either party that the other will abuse a powder which GOC already has.

In keeping with above considerations you should vote affirmatively for Colombian amendment to Canadian resolution.¹

As to Australian amendment,² although Dept does not favor GOC publishing its suggestions without consent of parties, Dept is anxious to avoid taking any position which would diminish Indonesian confidence GOC or indicate partiality of US position as member GOC. You should therefore abstain or in your discretion vote against Australian amendment.³

Repeated to Batavia for DuBois as 80, and to The Hague as 71.

Marshall

1. For text, see 252nd meeting, February 21, SC, 3rd yr., nos. 16–35, p. 253, for Colombian amendment (S/682) to Canadian draft (S/678).
2. For text of Australian amendment, see ibid., p. 254.
3. For statement to the Security Council at its 259th meeting, February 28, see ibid., p. 377. This statement was sent in telegram 227, February 29, 4:55 p. m., from New York, and repeated in telegram 83, March 2, to The Hague.