357.AA/1–2451: Telegram
The Ambassador in Indonesia ( Cochran ) to the Secretary of State
988. Told Rum evening 23rd no reply necessary US note January 7 on Netherlands New Guinea.1 Rum said if reply had been made it would only have been acquaint US with Indonesian position as outlined by Prime Minister Natsir to Parliament. (Deptel 746).2
Rum said note re resumption negotiations not yet delivered to Netherlands Government. This awaits early return from Atjeh of Natsir who has been absent considerably past two weeks.
Rum thinks committee headed by Supomo3 and including several non-Cabinet members familiar with RTC negotiation will make comprehensive study of functioning RTC agreement which might possibly be useful in future. When I pointed out danger of reopening this [Page 590] agreement I found Rum duly cognizant thereof. With Parliament to be recessed during February he expects cessation prodding from politicians on Netherlands New Guinea but hopes Netherlands Government will in meantime be helpfully responsive to Indonesian note on resumption negotiations. Rum feels recent statements from various leaders and journalists in Australia indicate turn in sentiment more reasonably toward Indonesia on Netherlands New Guinea.
- The reference is to the text of telegram 682 to Djakarta, January 6, p. 585.↩
- In telegram 746 to Djakarta, January 19, which is not here printed, Ambassador Cochran was instructed to inform the Indonesian Government that no reply was necessary to the Embassy’s note of January 7 (756D.21/1–1151).↩
- Professor Supomo on January 23, was named chairman of the Special States Commission to re-examine the Round Table Conference accords.↩