297. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations1
Gadel 89. For Wadsworth and Barco. Re West New Guinea. Department concerned over potentially grave repercussions of outcome present consideration New Guinea item, whether 19-power resolution adopted or defeated by failure to receive required two-thirds majority. Request you approach SYG soonest in order ascertain whether he might be willing, exclusively on own initiative, to seek to work out with Dutch and Indonesians compromise formula. We assume he might be willing raise matter with them since present resolution gives him role on item.
Following is draft resolution which might prove acceptable to both Dutch and Indonesians:
“The General Assembly
Having discussed the item on its agenda entitled ‘The Question of West Irian (West New Guinea),’
Recalling its resolution 915 (X) of December 16, 1955,
Noting that certain problems have arisen that might affect the maintenance of friendly relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands,
Expresses its hope that friendly relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands will be maintained and strengthened, and that they will take all appropriate steps to this end.”
Alternatively operative paragraph might read: [Page 515]
“Expresses the hope that these Governments will pursue their endeavors to find a peaceful solution to all these problems.”
You should make clear that it is imperative for present that US in no way be associated with contemplated initiative, although we would be prepared consider supporting SYG in his efforts to bring parties together at appropriate time if his preliminary soundings with them seemed to offer hope for satisfactory result. We would also assume that if SYG willing undertake this task, he may wish to bring in other states such as Norway, which could influence Dutch, as well as some Asian state that might be useful with Indonesians. Munro2 might be useful with Australians.
Department believes essential explore formula along above lines before Committee vote, thus forestalling any vote on 19-power text. In our judgment once Committee vote takes place possibility of arranging suitable compromise less likely.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 656.56D13/11–2557. Secret; Niact; limit Distribution. Drafted in UNP; approved by Walmsley; and cleared by the Secretary in substance, by Robertson (initialed for him by Mein), and by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs John Wesley Jones.↩
- Sir Leslie Knox Munro of New Zealand, President of the General Assembly.↩
The initiative set forth in Gadel 89 was proposed to Secretary Dulles by Assistant Secretary Wilcox in two telephone conversations on November 24. According to notes of the conversations, Dulles commented that “we had said we were going to be neutral and now we are jumping into the middle”, and “it would be better if the initiative could come from the Sec-Gen,” but after some discussion, he said he would talk to Lodge when the latter was in Washington the next day. (Memorandum by Carolyn J. Proctor, November 24; Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations) He discussed the proposal briefly with Lodge in a telephone conversation the following morning; the notes of the conversation read as follows:
“The Sec said they have been talking re a compromise resolution on Indonesia. The Sec does not think we should rush into it. L agreed and mentioned a letter [not identified] which the Sec thinks he saw. The Sec said if they get into an awful jam we might then. L agreed. L will talk with them here when he comes in for lunch at 1 with the Asst Sees. The Sec said Jones (EUR) and Robertson were in on it yesterday. L said the word ‘differences’ is completely unacceptable to the Dutch.” (Memorandum by Phyllis D. Bernau, November 25; ibid.)
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