Office of the Historian

272. Memorandum for the Record, by Robert K. German of the Executive Secretariat1

Washington, October 3, 1957—3:15 p.m.

SUBJECT

  • West New Guinea

PERSONS PRESENT

  • The Secretary
  • Mr. Murphy
  • Mr. Reinhardt
  • FE—Mr. Robertson, Mr. Abbott, Mr. Mein, Miss Bacon
  • EUR—Messrs. Elbrick, Nunley, and Cameron
  • IO—Mr. Wilcox, Mr. Gerig, Miss Brown
  • L—Mr. Becker
  • S/S–RO—Mr. German

At the conclusion of the briefing for the ANZUS Council Meeting, Mr. Murphy suggested that the Secretary consider the United States position on West New Guinea, as to which the Department had been unable to present agreed recommendations to the Secretary. Representatives of EUR, IO and L then joined the meeting.

Mr. Wilcox outlined the proposal for a trusteeship plan for West New Guinea which might be presented to the General Assembly. Mr. Robertson expressed the view that the introduction of such a plan would liquidate any influence which we may still have with the Indonesians.

The Secretary stated that in requesting a reconsideration of our position on this issue he had not meant that there should necessarily be a change in our position. One reason for requesting a reconsideration had been the recent shift to the left by Sukarno. He expressed the view that it would be a disaster for Indonesia to gain control of [Page 465] New Guinea, both from the standpoint of the people involved and from the standpoint of our strategic interest.

The Secretary stated that, so far as he was concerned, United States policy strongly and irrevocably opposes Indonesian control over West New Guinea. With that in mind, he expressed the view that we should not toy with a trend which will build up the aspirations and perhaps the legal case of the Indonesians. Should Indonesia win the vote in the United Nations this year, its hopes would thereby be increased. He stated that, while it might be all right to win favor by pretending to be neutral when one really is not, this is a dangerous practice when there are not otherwise enough votes for the side one wants to win. The Secretary pointed out that the United Nations is now loaded in favor of Indonesia and that the proportion will grow in that direction.

The Secretary stated that he realized that Indonesia would not like it if the United States were to vote in favor of the Netherlands, but he expressed the view that we could give better reasons for such a vote this year than we could next year. He added that the Indonesians would be just as unhappy with us if they realized that we were completely opposed to their position.

Mr. Robertson pointed out that Indonesia is not pleased with our present stand and criticizes us for being neutral. He added, however, that the United Nations is not competent to vote West New Guinea to Indonesia and that our position should be to encourage the Dutch and the Indonesians to resume negotiations.

Mr. Wilcox pointed out that the Dutch might not receive the necessary minimum for defeating the item this year. Mr. Elbrick supported this view, stating that in the past we have been neutral as a tactical measure but that this year the Dutch are extremely worried. We do not know what the Dutch would do in the face of a losing vote but it is certain that, if the resolution should pass, it would be much harder for us to try eventually to salvage the Dutch position.

Mr. Becker stated that he was appalled at the idea that the United Nations is competent to take such an action. The Secretary suggested that such action might be proper under article 14 of the Charter, which had been designed to enable the General Assembly to make recommendations for “peaceful changes” in situations such as this.

As to the trusteeship proposal, the Secretary asked whether the Dutch would accept a trusteeship. Mr. Wilcox stated that we do not know whether they would or not, although it would certainly be difficult for them to do so. Mr. Wilcox added that the information contained on page three of the FE memorandum to the Secretary concerning West New Guinea was the first indication he had had that the subject had ever been discussed with the Dutch.

[Page 466]

There being no more time to discuss the matter, the Secretary stated that he would be unable to resolve the issue at that time. The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756C.021/10–357. Secret.↩