Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 2

656.56D13/9–354

No. 292
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Officer in Charge of Indonesian and Pacific Island Affairs (Galbraith)

secret

Washington, September 3, 1954.

Subject:

• Western New Guinea

Participants:

• Mukarto Notowidigdo, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia
• Mr. Walter S. Robertson, Assistant Secretary for Far Eastern Affairs, Department of State, Washington, D.C.
• PSA—Francis J. Galbraith

Ambassador Mukarto called today at our request.

Mr. Robertson referred to the conversation of August 13 between the Deputy Under Secretary and the Ambassador at which the latter delivered a note¹ informing us of Indonesia’s intention to place the New Guinea question before the UNGA. Mr. Robertson said the US values the friendship of both Indonesia and the Netherlands that the latter are our allies in Europe. He said when two friends disagree as fundamentally in approach and opinion as the Netherlands and Indonesia disagree on the question of Irian the US is put in a difficult position. He said the US is neutral in the dispute and will therefore abstain and take no positive action. He said it was hoped we could, by taking this position, avoid action which could be interpreted by either side as favoring the other.

Ambassador Mukarto replied that he was glad to receive this information, and that he desired to express the appreciation of his government for it. He said he felt his government understood the difficult position of the US with respect to doing anything harmful to US–Netherlands relations. He said he would inform his government immediately and he was sure his government would appreciate the US position of neutrality.

Ambassador Mukarto concluded by saying the Indonesian Government recognizes the need for restraint and desires to avoid creating an opportunity for the Communists to broaden the issue. He said Indonesia will act in this spirit in the UNGA.

1. Not printed.