501.BC Indonesia/4–2049: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia 1
230. Usgoc 355. As you aware, Indo question now on agenda UNGA and in normal course may be reached within two weeks. Possibility obviating prolonged and acrimonious debate will depend largely upon reaching extensive field agreements between Dutch and Repubs prior UNGA debates.
From recent tels Dept concerned at what appears to be incipient repetition pattern former negots—to wit, presentation fairly detailed working papers, consideration these papers, submission counter working papers, and stalemating of progress in face areas disagreement with Dutch proceeding forward their plans on side with Federalists and with Repubs counting on UN buck line for them.
Dept believes highly desirable prior GA discussions that UNCFI be able report SC extensive list conditions for restoration Jogja on which parties agreed. Van Royen shld recognize that unless he can agree Repub working paper or promptly offer alternative proposals to which RepDel can agree, UNCFI itself must make recommendations which it wld be incumbent upon both parties accept. Shld Neth fail accept UNCFI recommendations, Van Royen must realize USDel GA will have no choice but take position Neth not in compliance SC Res.
Other hand Repub may be inclined insist upon extensive guarantees from suspicion Neth intentions. However, Roem shld appreciate that realities situation require Repub manifest consistently cooperative spirit and broad outlook if its position in UN to remain favorable and that shld Repub hold back from agreement on immediate restoration Jogja until further agreement reached on succeeding phases, debates UNGA may be less helpful Repub cause than he may anticipate. SC Mar 23 directive envisages initially restoration Repub Jogja, cease fire, and settlement conditions Hague negots. Thereafter, with task preliminary conf completed, attention can be given to successive steps called for in Jan 28 Res, with Repub in advantageous position with respect UN.
[Page 378]Re Gocus 6642 Dept entirely concurs your statements to Repubs and to Van Roy en that immediate objective is restoration Repub Govt to Jogja and environs, without necessity prior agreement on plan for extension geographic area Repub authority and on substance polit settlement to be negotiated Hague. This connection Dept assumes Repub working paper para 3 is simply reservation on part Repubs of rights under SC Res, Jan 28 and not a program for Neth agreement at this time. If you deem advisable you are authorized state to both dels that US position forthcoming GA debates will be determined by the concrete contribution of each party to immediate objectives Mar 23 tel.
Dept in full agreement your view (extreme desirability Hatta participate Batavia negots) in view rigid doctrinaire attitude Roem and Sastroamidjojo. Dept also agrees views your unnamed Repub informants (Gocus 6623) that time has arrived for demonstration breadth attitude on part Indo nationalists and that such attitude not to be looked for from present leaders RepDel whose parochial preoccupation with Repub could only lead renewed drastic compartmentalization Indonesia when polit and economic situation archipelago demands removal barriers between groups and areas.
Accordingly Dept, appreciating your efforts bring Hatta Batavia, requests your advice as to whether it might helpfully approach Palar and/or Indian FonOff through Am Amb New Delhi with view encouraging them advise Hatta proceed Batavia immediately either as head RepDel or for talks Van Royen. Dept wld emphasize its realization Hatta’s necessary concern for his own polit position as factor making him reluctant adopt this course but wld state its own view that present is outstanding opportunity for peaceful attainment nationalist aims Repub, that recent events have given impetus to progress negots which cld easily be lost, and that view considerations set forth above Hatta might well conclude advantages to be gained by his proceeding Batavia wld override other factors.