Office of the Historian

213. Telegram From the Department of State to Secretary of State Rusk, at Paris0

Washington, December 13, 1961, 9:29 p.m.

Tosec 60. For Secretary. Reports from Embassy Djakarta reinforced by Harriman discussion with Indo Chargé today1 indicate that content of [Page 485] Sukarno speech to WNG rally now scheduled Dec 19 might be influenced in a less aggressive direction if Sukarno, prior speech, can see specific evidence that meaningful movement possible in very near future.

President’s message to Sukarno2 appears to have somewhat allayed imminent crisis but strong tension continues and we believe constructive steps on Dutch part urgent.

We have carefully weighed importance this issue with all other matters you are confronted with and reluctantly conclude that it is desirable take advantage your presence Paris discuss possible future steps to resolve WNG dispute with Luns who plays dominant role Dutch policy.3 Hopefully we could have positive initial Dutch reaction to convey Sukarno prior December 19 mass meeting for purpose convincing him moderate his public stance this problem or, at least, avoid irrevocable aggressive steps.

You may wish to reemphasize our concern over latest development Indonesia (Deptel 3332 to Paris)4 and sound out Luns on possibility of direct talks without preconditions with Indonesians. If he appears unreceptive you might suggest stopgap of both sides designating neutral representatives to act as “seconds” who would be charged with exploring means by which such talks might be arranged.

Luns has previously indicated intent pursue solution within context UN “decolonialism” resolution. This resolution calls for 17 member committee to facilitate disengagement colonial powers and we believe it virtually certain that Soviet will be a member. In our view presence Soviets can only frustrate peaceful solution we and Dutch desire. Accordingly we believe Dutch and Indos should seek solution apart from decolonial resolution although we would envisage UN assistance at some stage after progress has been achieved on bilateral basis.

Ball
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 656.9813/12–1361. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Lindquist, Stone, and Beaudry; cleared by Harriman, Tyler, and Wallner; and approved by Ball. Repeated to Djakarta, The Hague, Canberra, London, and USUN. Rusk was attending the Ministerial Session of the North Atlantic Council at Paris December 13–15.↩
  2. See Document 211. A memorandum of Harriman’s conversation with the Indonesian Chargé, December 13, is in Department of State, Central Files, 656.9813/12–1361.↩
  3. See Document 210.↩
  4. Rusk and Luns discussed U.S.-Netherlands bilateral relations on December 13 at 3 p.m. at the Hotel George V before this cable was received in Paris. West New Guinea was the main topic of the conversation, but Rusk mostly listened to Luns’ views of the situation. (Memorandum of conversation, December 13; Department of State, Central Files, 656.9813/12–1361).↩
  5. Telegram 514 to The Hague was repeated to Paris as telegram 3332; see footnote 3, Document 212.↩