501.BC Indonesia/5–949: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Australia
70. Urtel 96, May 9.1 Ur info only, Cochran’s views US contribution physical restitution Repub have been solicited. However, you may say [Page 411] to Burton our general understanding Neth will assist initially in providing housekeeping equipment. Moreover in absence direct request by Repub this matter wld appear be in hands UNCFI Comm and US will of course discharge responsibilities assigned to it by Comm.
Ur discretion you may add it regrettable Austral attitude toward May 6 [7] agreement so pessimistic as such attitude not calculated increase likelihood its success. We believe all members UNCFI share responsibility make sustained effort maximize success that agreement by encouraging not one party alone as Burton suggests but both parties to comply with spirit and terms of agreement so as not to prejudice commencement and successful conclusion substantive polit negots at Hague.
Foregoing connection Austral cld usefully influence Repub bend every effort toward desired objective with emphasis on that objective rather than on peripheral matters. During Batavia negots US has consistently kept foregoing in mind and welcomes Austral cooperation in achieving UNCFI’s real purpose.
- Not printed.↩