Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI, Part 1

493.56D9/6–551: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

secret

Washington, June 5, 1951—8 p. m.

5667. Dept June 4 discussed with Brit Emb officers question of views Brit conveyed to Indo re inclusion rubber on embargo list under GA res. Dept officers stated we had been making very satis progress with Indos re inclusion rubber on embargo list; that we were aware differences of view which exist between US and UK this problem; that we regarded Indo decision which we believe may be made immed future as to whether or not to include rubber on embargo list as one of great importance in that it might determine Indos gen orientation as between East and West; that we hoped Brit wld see fit in any views they might express to Indo to press for inclusion rubber in UN embargo list.

Brit Emb officers said Kermode¹ had been instructed inform Indos that any shipments of rubber to China at this time wld be in violation of GA res in view fact essential Chi civ requirements for 1951 have already been filled. They raised question whether Indo Govt in position to control smuggling of rubber in China. In reply, Dept officers emphasized that Brit “formula” involving explanation that rubber included on list because Chi civ requirements filled, wld not satisfy requirements Kem Amendment in Indo case. We noted, however, that full legal interpretation effects Kem Amendment connection loans not yet available.

Brit Emb officers stated Dept views wld be conveyed UK govt.²

Sent to AmEmbassy London 5667, rptd info AmEmbassy Djakarta 1340.

Acheson

1. Derwent W. Kermode, United Kingdom Ambassador in Indonesia.
2. On June 11, Mr. Tomlinson, Counselor of the United Kingdom Embassy in the United States, called upon Mr. Lacy to inform him that, on the basis of the conversation of June 4, Ambassador Kermode had been instructed to delay indefinitely his representations concerning rubber to the Indonesian Government. Mr. Lacy reiterated the Department’s position that it wanted the Indonesians to embargo rubber to the People’s Republic of China with no qualitative restrictions imposed on that embargo. Mr. Tomlinson responded that he thought his government would reverse its decision and embargo rubber without any qualitative restrictions. (456D.419/6–1151)