795.00/3–2651: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Indonesia
1118. See USUN Tels No. 1330, Mar 26; 1385, Apr 9, rpt to you Apr 12.1 Dept calls ur attention to efforts of Palar to stimulate Arab-Asian group to issue appeal to both PRG and UN not to cross 38th parallel. Dept approves Gross views as set forth in reftels.
In ur discretion suggest approach to FonOff along lines Gross talk with Palar. You may inform FonOff Dept appreciates particular concern of Indon Govt and its fear of extension of hostilities in Far East. US shares Indon desire for limiting Korean hostilities and for bringing about cessation hostilities and Korean settlement. US action and policies, both as UC in conduct of campaign and as member in UN, have been directed toward these objectives.
Like Indon, US has much to lose; it does not desire World War or Asian war. US has made and will continue to exert all its influence and power to avert such war. But just as Commies have power to bring about peace at any time they wish it, they, unfortunately, also have power to plunge world into war. We hope they will not do so. But likelihood that enemy will extend hostilities will not be diminished by any steps which wld encourage aggressors, endanger security UN forces, and shatter determination and unity of free world to present solid front against aggression. FonOff must realize that security free nations lies in unity of free world in support of UN Charter principles. Any action which wld breed disunity and reveal less than full support for UN collective measures against aggression would endanger entire framework established in UN Charter for protecting all nations large and small against armed attack.
[Page 343]Dept agrees that every effort shld continue to be made to persuade Chi Commies that peaceful settlement in accordance UN principles is in interest of world peace and in their own interest. For reasons set forth in reftels, however, separate Asian-Arab intervention, particularly intervention along lines of Palar suggestion, will not enhance possibilities of peaceful settlement and indeed might frustrate and hamper existing efforts. Proliferation of conflicting appeals tends only to confuse picture and to undercut efforts GOC which is exerting every effort and is alert for any opportunity to bring about settlement we all desire.
Issue raised by proposed Arab-Asian action is not merely question of UN prestige. By treating UN on same basis as Chi aggressors, and by giving impression Arab-Asian group stands apart from gen UN effort in Korea, proposed action wld undercut entire moral position of UN and threaten UN effectiveness as bulwark against aggression anywhere. If Arab-Asian nations wish to contribute to peace efforts, they cld best do so by supporting Entezam and GOC efforts.2
- The two earlier telegrams were repeated to Djakarta in telegram 1119, April 12 (795.00/3–2651).↩
- Ambassador H. Merle Cochran in Djakarta reported to the Department in his telegram 1437, April 16, that he had passed on the above views to the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mohammed Roem, who received them attentively but noncommittally (795.00/4–1651).↩