134. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Indonesia1
1213. Department called in Indonesian and Dutch Ambassadors January 23. Conveyed to Indonesian Ambassador substance Deptel 1208 Djakarta 1119 Hague which prematurely forwarded posts January 21.2
To avoid misunderstanding due language difficulties, Department informally handed Indonesian Ambassador memorandum of meeting3 saying Department: 1) has studied approaches by both Indonesian and Dutch Governments 2) reluctant have US assume role intermediary in complex Indonesian-Dutch differences 3) certain Indonesia shares US interest in tranquillity and stability SEA 4) regards [Page 227] questions at issue, especially dispute over New Guinea, as matters be worked out between two parties immediately concerned 5) is hopeful both Governments will continue try work out mutually satisfactory solutions their problems and 6) reaffirms US attitude neutrality on substantive issue sovereignty New Guinea.
Indonesian Ambassador said under new instructions had also to bring up request for possible US encouragement (which also being asked of UK and Australia) to get Dutch signature to matters agreed upon informally thus far. Said these concerned Union, method of settling disputes by reference to ICJ, and trade and payments agreement revision. Pleaded that present Government needed this accomplishment to justify its moderate and friendly approach to Dutch relations; felt failure would mean doom any future negotiations with Dutch as “PNI will head next coalition Government and it will not have basis for moderate approach settling other matters with Dutch.” On interrogation re possible courses Indonesian action said he was certain that abortion present efforts would result in unilateral action by a future Indonesian Government re abolishing Union, financial relations with Dutch, and abrogation of obligation of some $500 million remaining under “Settlement of Debts” provision of RTC. Said this would all be done by enactment domestic Indonesian laws and that he had already told Ambassador van Roijen that was prospect if they did not find means settling differences with moderate Harahap Government by negotiations.
Indonesian Ambassador said he not pessimistic as certain Dutch themselves must appreciate advantage their interest in making settlements now but reiterated present indications were unwillingness sign on matters already covered in talks and therefore his Government hoped US and others would see fit intervene.
Department observed that new approach unlikely alter our position just stated as we were between two good friends and could not argue their substantive interests, however we added we hoped two would continue their efforts reach mutually satisfactory solutions.
Separate message follows re Dutch Ambassador’s call.4
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 656.56D13/1–2356. Confidential. Also sent to The Hague. Drafted in PSA, cleared with FE, and approved by Deputy Under Secretary Murphy.↩
- Telegram 1208 reported that in response to an Indonesian request of January 8 for U.S. intervention with the Netherlands on behalf of an Indonesian proposal to postpone discussion about West Irian and a January 10 request from the Netherlands Government for U.S. help in promoting a rapid solution of the problem of the Dutch prisoners in Indonesia, the Department had explained to the Indonesian and Netherlands Ambassadors its decision not to intervene while negotiations were underway between the two governments. (Ibid., 656.56D13/1–456) The telegram was approved in draft by Under Secretary Hoover as a basis for the anticipated conversations. (Memorandum from Elbrick and Robertson to Hoover, January 19; ibid., 656.56D/1–1956) The January 23 conversation between Moekarto and Murphy is recorded in a memorandum of conversation by Haring, not printed. (Ibid., 656.56D13/1–2356)↩
- Reference is to an aide-mémoire, a copy of which, initialed by Murphy, is attached to a memorandum of January 21 from Robertson to Hoover. (Ibid., 601.56D11/1–2156)↩
- Infra.↩