501.BC Indonesia/1–1149: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Philippines
41. For ur info, Dept at this stage developments Indonesia wishes pursue two objectives (a) contribution to solution Indo problem (b) making best possible record with Asiatic and Islamic countries. Objective (a) will be pursued thru actions SC and thru unilateral approach Neth Govt perhaps in concert with UK and other likeminded states to end that Neth announce to SC soonest plans for Indo with special reference holding of free elections and transfer sovereignty to independent United States Indonesia on definite dates. Objective (b) will be pursued in SC and by Dept in conversations with Asiatic and Islamic Chiefs of Missions Wash, but more importantly, Dept believes, by US Chiefs of Missions in countries Asia and ME. This connection, Nehru’s Asian Conf occasioning Dept some concern (see Depcirtel Jan 81). To minimize untoward effects that Conf Dept suggests (1) you make US position Indonesia entirely clear Quirino2 drawing freely upon Depcirtel Indonesia Dec 313 and Jessup’s speeches SC; (2) suggest Quirino unofficially and personally, unhappy effects on Philippines of split between Occident and Orient, expressing hope Asian Conf will not serve such tragic contingency. This connection point out certain other countries have been concerned this possibility. Thus, as announced publicly, Turkey and Siam have decided not attend, and (following to Quirino in confidence) we understand New Zealand and Ceylon have accepted reluctantly.
- Not printed.↩
- Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. vi, p. 617.↩