Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 133
No. 233
Memorandum of Conversation, by David
McK. Key, Adviser to the United States Delegation at the United
Nations General Assembly
Subject:
- Topics discussed during the call of the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. Mukarto, on the Secretary of State at 11 a.m. October 31, 1952.
Participants:
- Mr. Mukarto
- Ambassador Palar
- Ambassador Ali Sastroamidjojo
- The Secretary of State
- Ambassador Key
- Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Indonesian Delegation
- Indonesian Ambassador, Washington
- U.S. Delegation
Political Situation in Indonesia
After exchange of the usual amenities, the Secretary asked Mr. Mukarto about the present political situation in Indonesia.
Mr. Mukarto replied that the disorders had ended and that everything was again under control. Though social tensions existed, the situation was quiet and a new Cabinet, which he believed was the strongest yet to come into power, was in office. There was agitation [Page 339] by a large section of the Indonesian public in favor of an elected Parliament. It was hoped that conditions in Indonesia would permit the holding of a general election sometime during the first six months of 1953.
TCA Agreement
Mr. Mukarto then mentioned the Indonesian desire for the early conclusion of a TCA Agreement. The situation was, however, somewhat complicated because such an Agreement would have to be submitted to Parliament for acceptance. The latter would not ratify an Agreement containing features which would subject the Government to attacks that it was not neutral, or that the Agreement contained obligations to the effect of which would be to align Indonesia against the Communists.
Ambassador Ali briefly reviewed the course of his negotiations in Washington for a TCA Agreement, observing that substantial agreement had already been reached but that certain legal questions, having largely to do with the phraseology to be used, were still unresolved.
The Secretary said that he was glad that such progress had been achieved. He assured the Foreign Minister and Ambassador Ali that it was our desire to arrive at a mutually satisfactory agreement as soon as possible. He did not anticipate any great difficulty in resolving the legal questions outstanding now that an accord had been reached on the substantive questions and made the suggestion that accordingly the negotiations be resumed by legal and technical experts on both sides with a view to reaching a definitive agreement. This suggestion was welcomed by Mr. Mukarto and Ambassador Ali.
New Guinea
The Indonesian Foreign Minister next took up the question of New Guinea. After outlining his Government’s attitude and stressing the interest of the Indonesian public in obtaining a favorable settlement, he asked for the Secretary’s views.
The Secretary pointed out that New Guinea was a question the solution of which we feel should be worked out by the Netherlands and Indonesia, towards both of which Governments we entertain the friendliest feelings. Any solution which they could work out between themselves would be entirely satisfactory to us. Patience and moderation would be required on both sides since progress towards settlement of such an important question, on which views differed sharply, was bound to be slow. He did not feel that U.S. intervention would, however, contribute towards the solution—in fact, it might only create harm by offending one or the other of our friends.
[Page 340]Rice
The Secretary said that he was pleased to make known that an increase in the allocation of rice, which had been asked for by Indonesia, would be made. He did not know the exact amount of the increase but suggested that representatives of the Indonesian Embassy place themselves in touch with the appropriate officials in Washington with a view to pursuing this matter further.
The Indonesians expressed their pleasure over this development and Ambassador Ali said that the Indonesian Embassy would contact the Department without delay.
[Here follows discussion of Korea.]