92 Australian Delegation, United Nations, to Department of External Affairs
Cablegram UN180 NEW YORK, 26 February 1948, 9.48 p.m.
SECRET
Security Council. Indonesia 26th February. [1]
1. Sastroamidjojo, Indonesia made statement dealing fully with West Java as unilateral and contrary to Renville. Exposed the puppet nature of the new state. Lack of plebiscite. Grave consequences for Republic of new states. Expressed agreement with Australian proposal.
2. Gromyko (Soviet) repeated that Renville Agreement is a screen for reimposition of Dutch Colonial domination with support of other Colonial Powers due to investments and fear of success of movements for independence. Renville 'shameful document'.
Indonesia cannot expect any help from Committee. Netherlands ignores provision for plebiscite. Canadian resolution [2] unacceptable. Australian [3] and Colombian amendments [4] do not really change the resolution. Praise given the report reminds him of Mark Twain's hen which insisted her egg was a planet.
3. Tsiang (China). Two dangers-creation of new states and differences of interpretation of Renville. Considered Indonesian position on new states reasonable. Reminded Council war in Indonesia came after an agreement (Linggadjati). Necessity to watch situation after this further Agreement (Renville). Recalled procedures statement and Kirby suggestion. Had found there were objections in Council to his arbitration suggestion. Committee has power to adopt Kirby procedure. Not necessary to sit [5] on Australian proposal. No rule of Council prevents the suggested procedure. Unless this challenged will not press to vote.
Colombian amendment would not change resolution. Will support Canadian proposal. [6]
4. Van Kleffens (Netherlands) made statement in refutal of Indonesian statement on new states. West Java conference [is] third of a series of informal unofficial conferences. Entirely without interference or pressure by Netherlands authorities.
Republic representatives were present. Quoted para. 2 of the twelve political principles. [7] Suppression by Dutch would be to side with Republic against people desiring autonomy. Republic not synonymous with healthy democratic development. Conference com[p]rises [8] several groups none designated by Netherlands Indies authorities. Local knowledge essential and proper place to deal with question of new states is in Committee of Good Offices on the spot. If still member of Council, Netherlands would oppose both Colombian and Australian proposals. Committee has not asked for extension of functions. Only a majority of Committee has asked for this. Would cease to be a Committee of Good Offices.
Particularly against publication if Committee is to be considered to have right to make suggestions, let it do so with greatest caution and in a way conducive to voluntary agreement. Make certain beforehand suggestion acceptable to both parties.