Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

can. DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON December 15, 1948 SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS INDONESIA We have advised our representative on the Good Offices Committee in Indonesia of our belief that the Indonesian Premier's letter, which reiterated Republican acceptance of the Renville agreements and recognition of Dutch sovereignty in the interim period, constitutes adequate and practical grounds for the resumption of nego- tiations either within or outside of the Good Offices Committee. We have suggested to our representative that he may as soon as feasible telegraph the contents of the letter to the Security Council. Our Ambassador at The Hague, meanwhile, has discussed the letter with a Dutch Foreign Office official who indicated Foreign Office gratifica- tion and a personal opinion that the letter represents major conces- sions by the Republic. Belgian Premier Spaak, in a discussion with Embassy Brussels, expressed his approval of our position on Indonesia and stated his opinion that Dutch "obstinacy" and the pressure of Dutch military leaders for military action is very dangerous. Unless mili- tary action were immediately and sweepingly successful, Spaak fears it would create in Indonesia a "running sore" doing incalculable harm from every point of view. Spaak suggests that a meeting in Washington of highest US, Belgian and Australian officials might lend real author- ity to the Good Offices Committee and "produce results" by speaking strongly to the Republican Premier and the Dutch Foreign Minister. PALESTINE The British Embassy has informed us of its hope that the US would, if a suitable opportunity presents, urge upon the parties concerned in the Palestine dispute the incorporation into Transjordan of all or the greater part of Arab Palestine as the best solution to the problem of disposition of that area. We told the British that the territorial question is one for negotiation, either direct or through the Conciliation Commission, and that the US would support any arrangement agreeable to the Arab states and Israel reached through these methods. Consequently, we feel it is advisable to await the outcome of such negotiation before considering positive steps to achieve a territorial settlement. DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guideline, June 12, 1979 By NLT- HL NARS, Date 11-13-to