Your telegram 689 of 13th October. [1] Commonwealth Government
concurs in approach being made to Portuguese as well as to
Netherlands authorities and agrees to lines of enquiry suggested
in paragraph 3 of your telegram.

Commonwealth Government will co-operate to fullest practicable
extent in provision of military assistance for Portuguese Timor if
Portuguese agree to accept reinforcements from outside Portuguese
Timor, as a result of the approach which is now being made.

Australian Air Forces to be provided under existing plans for the
reinforcement of Ambon and Koepang will also be available for
operations in Portuguese Timor. Australian military forces
earmarked for Koepang are sufficient only for the defence of that
place and we are prepared to accept commitment for despatch of
additional troops to Portuguese Timor in contingency referred to.

We would emphasise importance of obtaining the consent of the
Netherlands Government to the movement of Australian forces to
Ambon and Koepang before the outbreak of hostilities and of
advance parties immediately. It is noted that this is to be
mentioned to the Netherlands authorities at a very early date and
a separate telegram is being forwarded [2] regarding the aspects
raised in your telegram 690 of 14th October. [3]