Your telegrams 38 [1] and 45. [2]

1. Sjahrir has not been available until today.

2. Representation. Sjahrir considered that Australian
representation with the Republic would be most effectively carried
out by a representative living at Djokjakarta. His functions would
be diplomatic but his description should be what he called
'neutral', e.g. Commissioner. The Republic would like to send an
Indonesian to perform similar functions in Australia, replacing
Campbell. He added that he was asking Campbell to come over here
soon for consultations.

3. I asked whether any other countries had made similar moves. He
said Munim (see my telegram 49 [3]) was here on a special mission,
as much to convey the good wishes of the Arabian League as to
represent the Egyptian Government and would shortly return to
report. He expected an approach from some Arabian States such as
the Hedjaz, which formerly made a lot out of pilgrim traffic from
Java. He was in touch with Nehru and expected formal relations
with India; meanwhile, Indian officials over here on the 'Rice for
India' transaction, were in effect performing diplomatic
functions. China had tentatively discussed the matter some time
ago but nothing had happened for 3 or 4 months.

4. At Linggardjati part of the official correspondence between the
delegations had dealt with representation abroad. The Dutch had
proposed the appointment of Indonesian personnel to serve at some
of their missions, e.g., in India, the Philippines, Arabia and so
on. The Indonesian reply had been that they would be pleased to
help with Indonesian personnel in that way but in that event they
would require that such personnel should be also able to represent
the Republic directly.

5. He added that he would like to visit Australia 'even more than
India'. He felt that Australia was very close in all ways. I said
that I would tell you of this.

6. I referred to the reports that the Dutch were proposing to
establish a delegation or agency at Djokjakarta. He said that, at
present, the Dutch wanted to send a delegation there to look
around but, no doubt, they would later have liaison officers
there.

7. Trade Commissioner. They thought that the Trade Commissioner
should come to Batavia and that separate negotiations with the
Dutch in respect of his work with them, were desirable in the
course of which it would be made plain that he would also be
dealing directly with the Republic Authorities and trade.

8. Bipartite discussions are now proceeding to clarify the
economic and export position generally and to future on
disappearance of the Dutch economic 'blockade' regulations [4] in
particular. (See my letter B.13, 30th January.) Until some
progress is made in these discussions, I cannot give a precise
answer to paragraph 3 of your telegram 45 but shall report as soon
as possible. When I asked Sjahrir how likely he thought a
satisfactory solution was, he laughed and said that if that fails
the whole of Linggardjati would fall to the ground.

9. Report on the Dutch views on Trade Commissioner follows as soon
as possible.

10. Discussions are also proceeding for establishment of
organisation of joint secretariat contemplated by Article 17 of
the Agreement.