407 Throssell to Shann
Minute CANBERRA, 7 November 1947
INDONESIA
The Security Council has three times ordered a cessation of hostilities in Indonesia: On 1st August, the Security Council called upon the parties 'to cease hostilities forthwith'; on 25th August, 'to adhere strictly to the recommendation of the Security Council of 1st August, 1947'; on 1st November 'to cease any activities or incitement to activities which contravene that resolution'.
Djokjakarta Radio reported on 6th November that seven Dutch aircraft attacked Bandjarnegora on 4th November, killing 7 civilians, and wounding 4. Hilversum Radio is reported to have admitted that 'drastic measures' were taken against Bandjarnegora in retaliation for the explosion of a land mine said to have been fired by the Republican Army Command in that township.
Irrespective of the responsibility for these actions, they show a clear contempt for the Security Council's thrice repeated instructions. The Security Council cannot afford to show itself powerless in a more or less minor instance of unlawful warfare, if it is ever to wield the slightest authority in dealing with more serious breaches of the peace.
The alternatives are to ignore the violations of its instructions which are in effect made under Article 40, and res[ign] [1] itself to the impotence of the League Council, or to enforce its decisions now.
Moreover, as initiator of the Council's action, Australia will have shown itself incapable of maintaining its standards if this challenge to the authority of the United Nations does not receive a strong reply from our representatives.
I suggest that the Australian representative might move that in view of the continued violation of the ceasefire, [a] Committee be instructed immediately to draw up plans for enforcement measures under Article 41 within a specified time.
[Telegram attached.] [2]