Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs [1] has had an opportunity
of discussing Indonesia with the United States Secretary of State
[2] in Washington.

2. The United States attitude is broadly similar to our own;

whilst there are still many difficulties to be overcome the
preliminary meeting at Batavia under the auspices of the United
Nations Commission does afford an opportunity not to be missed for
getting the parties together and for clearing away some of the
obstacles to settlement.

3. The Republicans have now accepted [3] the invitation of the
United Nations Commission on Indonesia to participate in
discussions at Batavia on the understanding that the restoration
of the Republican Government at Djokjakarta free to take decisions
uncoerced, is a prerequisite to any fruitful negotiations. The
Dutch as you know accepted the invitation on March 28th. [4]

4. I am therefore instructing the United Kingdom Representatives
[5] at The Hague, Batavia and New York (in the event of Indonesia
being included in the Assembly Agenda) to direct their efforts to
ensuring that discussions between the Dutch and Indonesia open in
Batavia as soon as possible and to inducing the parties to seize
the opportunity now offered to compose their differences with a
view to the early transfer of sovereignty.

5. I have thought it well to inform you of the action we are
taking in case you feel disposed to take similar action.