501.BC Indonesia/9–2949: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Netherlands
836. Ushie 20. Re Hicus 391 Dept agrees in general your ideas and has fol comments:
You shld take position in mtgs UNCFI and polit comite that UNCFI, as such, shld continue after conclusion RTC and transfer of sovereignty to observe implementation agreements reached RTC.
Under terms entire SC Jan 28 res, as applicable present developments toward settlement dispute and transfer sovereignty, not clear whether or when UNCFI obliged under para 4(c) make recommendations SC re nature UN agency to remain in Indo. Other subparas, notably 4(e) and 4(f), indicate UNCFI as such and without further SC action may be authorized continue functioning Indo re observation elections, assisting restoration civil admin, and arrangements re Neth forces. Hence altho SC pursuant to para 4(c) may wish take some action in respect future role UNOFI, in Dept’s view UNCFI cld continue under present terms of ref even without further SC action.
Consequently, altho desirable UNCFI report SC at conclusion RTC agreements, report shld state broadly UNCFI intends continue functions in Indo under terms of ref Jan 28 SC res. Such statement wld in Dept’s opinion be adequate ref to cover para 4(c) at that stage. [Page 501] Formulation this statement by UNCFI shld not prejudice flexibility SC action under circumstances at time report considered. If RTC results as expected in substantial agreement major issues, Dept believes preferable SC action upon receipt UNCFI report wld be to note with gratification successful results RTC and intention UNCFI observe implementation of agreements under SC res.
In event SC discussion, US prepared support or sponsor brief SC res to general effect above para and hopes that such action on receipt UNCFI report wld not reopen serious debate or result in other countries’ acquiring participation UNCFI. View joint Neth and Indo support for continuation UNCFI, Dept believes such a res shld receive quick SC approval. Difficult avoid some SC discussion after RTC, and general approval desirable at that time to show SC affirmation favorable results negots. Against outside chance Sov may veto general approval res, Dept repeats importance of phrasing UNCFI report to SC so no doubt raised whether UNCFI may continue under Jan 28 res.
Re agreements and reports to be drafted RTC, desirable future participation UNCFI be stated briefly in broad terms as in June 22 memo Batavia “UNCFI or another UN agency shall observe in Indo implementation agreements reached RTC”. Any RTC effort define precisely future UNCFI role might have unfortunate results at this time, especially in view SC opinion UNCFI participation defined by SC rather than by parties.
No need detailed ref future function mil observers in either RTC agreement or UNCFI report, as terms Jan 28 res flexible enough cover eventualities.
Similarly, desirable that, beyond general statement re observation of elections, no special ref be made now to arrangements for elections participation. Exact terms UN participation Indo elections best worked out as time for elections approaches. Principle of UN observation already established para 4(e) Jan 28 res and statements of parties.