April 12, 1949
MEMORANDUM TO MR. RUSK
Indonesia
I am very clear about the conversation which Senator Austin and I had with Evatt and Lie on the agenda.
Evatt was most anxious to place Indonesia on the agenda and plunge into discussion about it. The Senator and I took the position that we had made great progress with the Dutch and that we thought the matter could be solved provided it was not argued about in the General Assembly pending the delicate negotiations. We urged that the General Committee should defer action on placing Indonesia on the agenda, stating that if the situation were solved, it would never have to go on, and, if it were not solved, it could be put on toward the end of the session. Mr. Evatt raised strong objection to this, saying that if the pressure were relaxed on the Dutch, there would be no action. I strongly opposed pressure in the sense of debate.
We finally agreed that the subject could go on the agenda and be placed at the very end. It was also understood that, if substantial progress was made, toward the solution of the problem, it would not be debated; if not, it would be on the agenda and could be taken up at the end of the session.
While my memory is very clear on this, I think it might be well to have you read this memorandum to Senator Austin and see whether my recollection accords with his.
DA:be