Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VII, Part 1

501.BC Indonesia/7–2149: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia ¹

secret   priority

Washington, July 21, 1949—6 p. m.

387. Usgoc 410. In forthcoming presentation Mil Assistance Program to Congress Dept proposes take line re relation Indo situation to Neth participation as follows:

1. Recent agreements and actions by Neth have placed Neth in process fulfillment SC Res.

2. Dept places full confidence in bona fides both parties to agreements.

3. Implementation thereof expected mark real progress elimination fighting in Indo and reduction Neth forces there to point where major mil strength Neth will be returned to Holland.

4. Dept considers in light recent agreements there shd be no implication in MAP legislation calling good faith Neth into question.

5. Safeguard against possible misuse mil assistance by Neth, in event no polit settlement and renewal hostilities Indo, is provided by proposed clause of general application to effect US will not furnish mil assistance when such action inconsistent with its UN obligations.

Pls comment urgently.²

Acheson

1. Repeated as 636 to The Hague.
2. In telegram 630, Gocus 766, July 23, 1 p. m., from Batavia, Mr. Cochran concurred in paragraphs 1–4 but questioned 5 as “not entirely clear.” He added: “I feel legislation should not contain anything to imply lack good faith Netherlands on Indonesian question. Same time, I believe no military assistance should be provided Netherlands pending manifestation sufficient progress RTG to insure that fair settlement will be reached and sovereignty transferred.” (501.BC Indonesia/7–2349)