Aide-Memoire CANBERRA, 29 November 1949

AIDE-MEMOIRE

With regard to forthcoming discussion in the General Assembly and
Security Council of the United Nations, the Government of the
United States considers that it should be the objective to aid the
parties involved in the Indonesian question in carrying out
agreements for the transfer of sovereignty and in effecting a
final settlement of all remaining issues. The United States
believes that the General Assembly and the Security Council should
show toward the parties full and unanimous approval and
appreciation of the statesmanlike measures taken by them toward
settlement; that the General Assembly and the Security Council
should avoid promising any action which might have the effect of
blocking or deterring ratification of the Hague Agreements by
either party; and that there should be laid as solid a ground-work
as possible for favourable reception in the United Nations of the
prospective Indonesian approach and implementation in the United
Nations.

With regard to the General Assembly the Government of the United
States considers it desirable that the members should note with
gratification the results of The Hague Conference and should drop
the item from the General Assembly agenda. To allow the item to
remain on the Agenda might cast doubt on the existence of the
international stability in Indonesia which has an important
bearing on the qualifications for membership in the United
Nations. Moreover there appears to be no substantive advantage in
leaving the item on the agenda. If, after the item is dropped, the
situation became grave, the matter could easily be placed on the
agenda in the Fifth Session.

The Government of the United States especially hopes that those
nations which participated in the New Delhi Conference will
demonstrate now that they appreciate the wisdom of current
measures being taken toward a final solution of the Indonesian
problem. Although the nations which participated in the New Delhi
Conference may consider that caution must be exercised toward the
future, it is nevertheless hoped that they will be forthright in
congratulating the Netherlands and the Indonesians on the success
of The Hague Conference.

The Government of the United States proposes to make a short
comment in the plenary committee emphasizing the voluntary and
constructive measure of the action of the parties in reaching an
agreement, recognizing the role of the United Nations in aiding
settlement, and avoiding discussion of details of settlement such
as the New Guinea problem, although placing some emphasis upon the
prospective attributes of the Indonesian Nation as a likely
candidate for membership in the United Nations.

It appears to the United States that it should be preferable for
it not to sponsor the General Assembly resolution, although the
United States delegation may wish to discuss the presentation of
the resolution preferably from the New Delhi group, commending the
parties for their statesmanlike steps in accomplishing the
cessation of hostilities and arranging for early transfer of
sovereignty.

As to the Security Council the United States considers that
although discussion therein should be more detailed than in the
General Assembly and although the Security Council should discuss
the two recent UNCFI reports, the Security Council should not
alter the UNCFI terms of reference or establish a new United
Nations Commission. The United States has in mind that UNCFI
intends to and is empowered to continue implementation of the
Indonesian agreements under its prior terms of reference. The
United States representative will express hearty approval of the
steps taken toward solution of the Indonesian problem, will
congratulate the parties on their statesmanship, and will mention
United States hopes for harmonious and constructive cooperation
between the parties in the future.

As in the case of the General Assembly, the United States does not
believe that it should introduce the resolution in the Security
Council. The United States believes that if a resolution is
introduced, resolution should congratulate the parties, should
urge continued efforts to obtain complete stability in Indonesia
and should request the UNCFI to continue its functions and to
report from time to time.