Office of the Historian

501.BC Indonesia/2–2349

The Department of State to the Netherlands Embassy 1

Aide-Mémoire

As the Netherlands Government is aware, the United States Government is extremely regretful of the circumstances which have led to an increasingly complex and difficult situation in Indonesia. The United States Government is therefore in no sense desirous of exacerbating further a situation which has already given rise to a difference of view between our two governments.

In frankness, however, this Government thinks that it is appropriate to invite the attention of the Netherlands Government to the following considerations.

The United Nations Commission for Indonesia, created under the Security Council Resolution of January 28, 1949, will be faced by March 1, next, with the duty of reporting to the Security Council on the progress of events in Indonesia, with particular reference to steps which have been taken in fulfillment of the resolution of the Security [Page 247] Council of January 28. During the interval since the adoption of the above-mentioned resolution, representatives of the United States Government have, in numerous conversations with officials of the Netherlands Government, attempted to make clear the steadfastness of this Government regarding the program outlined in the resolution concerning Indonesia. If the Commission on March 1 is obliged to report to the Security Council that steps have not been taken by. The Netherlands in conformity with the resolution, this Government will again take its stand in unequivocal support of the fulfillment of the Security Council’s Resolution of January 28, 1949.

It is our earnest hope that the Government of The Netherlands will see its way clear to acceptance of the Security Council’s Resolution in question, and will demonstrate its acceptance by prompt measures designed to carry out the provisions of this resolution with the assistance of the United Nations Commission for Indonesia. It is only by this means that the Government of the United States can discern an end to the increasing difficulties to which this unfortunate situation has given rise for all parties concerned.

Washington, February 23, 1949.
  1. Drafted February 23 in the Office of European Affairs.↩