501.BC Indonesia/1–1949: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Acting Secretary of State
us urgent
64. Jessup called on Parodi at his office this morning and had an hour’s conversation with him alone regarding latest draft Indonesian working paper. Jessup reviewed essential dements in background of situation stressing following points.
- 1.
- SC cannot possibly acquiesce in theory that republic which is represented at SC table no longer exists.
- 2.
- Netherlands has not complied with SC resolution particularly on release of prisoners and in its arguments on this point has not relied on jurisdictional grounds but has attempted to explain its degree of noncompliance.
- 3.
- SC cannot approve fruits of resort to force particularly when resort to force was involved in breach of truce agreement.
General aspects of over-all situation in Asia and Europe were also mentioned and stress laid on fact that a difficult situation now exists from which, in common interests of all, way out must be found.
Parodi was told that China, Cuba and Norway had agreed to be co-sponsors of the resolution and that the possibility was not excluded that Canada, UK and Egypt might also join in sponsoring, although this was by no means assured even though those three had definitely indicated they would vote for resolution. It was noted that there were three alternative possible developments.
- 1.
- That the French would veto, which would be bad for SC and also for Dutch position in that opinion would say that they had no reasonable basis for their position but were protected merely by another colonial power and that this in turn would have bad repercussions for French position in Indochina;
- 2.
- That the resolution might be passed by seven votes with France abstaining but that Dutch would be defiant with inevitable repercussions in New Delhi Conference and demands for sanctions against Dutch;
- 3.
- That through cooperation of France, US and other states, resolution could be passed in friendly business-like atmosphere and acquiesced in by Dutch.
Changes made in working paper were then explained in detail. Parodi said the new text was a great improvement and represented a major effort to meet divergent views to which Jessup referred. With reference to possibility of French veto, Parodi said that on basis of this draft he would telegraph Paris recommending that they merely abstain. He said he could not promise that they would not veto but he [Page 176] thought he would be authorized to abstain. The abstention would be based on their jurisdictional argument which Parodi still considers entirely sound. Responding to Jessup’s suggestion that further proceedings in SC should be in calm negotiating atmosphere without recriminations and with further reference to ultimate solution of problem, Parodi agreed to endeavor to persuade Netherlands representatives to take an accommodating attitude. He remarked that their military action in Indonesia was brutal and unwise, and felt that some of their Army and colonial personnel had acted badly. He indicated general agreement with Jessup’s over-all estimate of situation and necessity of finding way out in the light of common interests. Jessup said that he would in turn try to persuade Palar and Rau to take a moderate attitude in SC. Parodi inquired whether any amendments might be accepted in course of SC discussions and was told USUN had no idea what might be proposed or what might be acceptable but that we would maintain our position of endeavoring to negotiate any reasonable changes and would hope that no sudden votes would be forced before opportunity was afforded for discussions among interested members.