UNITED STATES DELEGATION TO THE SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
SUBJECT: Topics discussed during the call of the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. Mukarto, on the Secretary of State at 11 a.m., October 31, 1952
PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Mukarto, Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Palar, Indonesian Delegation Ambassador Ali Sastroamidjojo, Indonesian Ambassador, Washington The Secretary of State Ambassador Key, U.S. Delegation
Political Situation in Indonesia
After exchange of the usual amenities, the Secretary asked Mr. Mukarto about the present political situation in Indonesia.
Mr. Mukarto replied that the disorders had ended and that everything was again under control. Though social tensions existed, the situation was quiet and a new Cabinet, which he believed was the strongest yet to come into power, was in office. There was agitation by a large section of the Indonesian public in favor of an elected Parliament. It was hoped that conditions in Indonesia would permit the holding of a general election sometime during the first six months of 1953.
TCA Agreement
Mr. Mukarto then mentioned the Indonesian desire for the early conclusion of a TCA Agreement. The situation was, however, somewhat complicated because such an Agreement would have to be submitted to Parliament for acceptance. The latter would not ratify an Agreement containing features which would subject the Government to attacks that it was not neutral, or that the Agreement contained obligations, the effect of which would be to align Indonesia against the
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Communists.
Ambassador Ali briefly reviewed the course of his negotiations in Washington for a TCA Agreement, observing that substantial agreement had already been reached but that certain legal questions, having largely to do with the phraseology to be used, were still unresolved.
The Secretary said that he was glad that such progress had been achieved. He assured the Foreign Minister and Ambassador Ali that it was our desire to arrive at a mutually satisfactory agreement as soon as possible. He did not anticipate any great difficulty in resolving the legal questions outstanding now that an accord had been reached on the substantive questions and made the suggestion that accordingly the negotiations be resumed by legal and technical experts on both sides with a view to reaching a definitive agreement. This suggestion was welcomed by Mr. Mukarto and Ambassador Ali.
New Guinea
The Indonesian Foreign Minister next took up the question of New Guinea. After outlining his Government's attitude and stressing the interest of the Indonesian public in obtaining a favorable settlement, he asked for the Secretary's views.
The Secretary pointed out that New Guinea was a question the solution of which we feel should be worked out by the Netherlands and Indonesia, towards both of which Governments we entertain the friendliest feelings. Any solution which they could work out between themselves would be entirely satisfactory to us. Patience and moderation would be required on both sides since progress towards settlement of such an important question, on which views differed sharply, was bound to be slow. He did not feel that U.S. intervention would, however, contribute towards the solution - in fact, it might only create harm by offending one or the other of our friends.
Rice.
The Secretary said that he was pleased to make known that an increase in the allocation of rice, which had been asked for by Indonesia, would be made. He did not know the exact amount of the increase but suggested that representatives of the Indonesian Embassy place themselves in touch with the appropriate officials in Washington with a view to pursuing this matter further.
The Indonesians expressed their pleasure over this development and Ambassador Ali said that the Indonesian Embassy would contact the Department without delay.
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Korea
The Secretary next reviewed our position on Korea, stressing the U.S. desire to avoid polemics during the present discussions in the UN in an effort to reach a just armistice. The Secretary pointed out that the USSR has declared that the only remaining issue preventing the conclusion of an armistice relates to the repatriation of prisoners of war. He stated that, of course, everyone was agreed that the prisoners of war had the "right" to repatriation but that this did not mean that prisoners of war should be forcibly repatriated at the point of a gun. Such treatment would be immoral, inhumane, and contrary to the spirit of the UN Charter. A person has the right to marry but nobody would pretend that a person should be forced to marry. The Secretary felt that every effort should continue to be made to clarify the USSR attitude on this one remaining issue and to persuade the USSR to accept the principle of non-forcible repatriation. If this principle is accepted by the Soviets (possibly Soviet acceptance would be facilitated by means of some face-saving device or other) an armistice would be achieved and the first important step, namely the termination of the fighting, would have been accomplished. If, however, the Soviets did not accept this principle, he hoped the Resolution, sponsored by the twenty powers would be widely accepted in order that the UN place itself squarely on record on this important issue. Such action by the UN might have a beneficial effect on the Communists. Of course, if no armistice is achieved either because of a disagreement over the forcible repatriation issue or for other reasons, a very serious situation would confront the UN. The fighting would continue and it would be necessary for all members of the United Nations to consider what further action should be taken. The Secretary then said that he would welcome Indonesia's views about Korea.
In response, Ambassador Palar launched into a lengthy exposition of the Indonesian position, the main points of which were: (1) The Indonesian Government and people were democratic and had little sympathy for Communism but Indonesia was a small power beset with numerous and difficult problems. (2) The energies of the Government and the people must be directed towards rebuilding the economy and solving other pressing problems for which reason it would be catastrophic if Indonesia became involved in a third world war. (3) Indonesia must also bear in mind the views and capabilities of its friends, such as India and the Near Eastern States. (4) All of this led to the question of what role Indonesia could best play in lessening the possibility of a third world war which would be disastrous to all mankind. (5) Neither the Communists nor the free world wanted such a war. Therefore, it might be that sooner or later a situation would develop where Indonesia could play a part in bringing the two groups together, and in reducing tensions. (6) In preparation for such a role, it was essential that Indonesia be acceptable to both factions.
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It was necessary, therefore, that Indonesia do nothing to estrange the USSR. (7) It had not always been easy or pleasant for the Indonesian Delegation to abstain or to vote with the Soviet minority on vital issues coming under the consideration of the UN, but this had to be done if Indonesia was to be of any use later on. (8) Korea was only a symptom of the major struggle between the Soviet bloc and the free world, and the forcible repatriation issue was only a facet of the Korean question. (9) It was the earnest hope of the Indonesian Delegation that in some manner yet to be determined, it could help to bridge the existing disagreement over this issue. (10) He was planning to sound out other Asian and Near Eastern Delegations as to the course to be taken. He had in mind the possibility of a "marriage" of the twenty power Resolution and the Soviet Resolution, although he had been told that the blood counts of the couple were incompatible. (11) He concluded by saying that it was the intention of the Indonesian Delegation to remain in close touch with the U.S. Delegation with respect to developments on this and other issues arising during the debate on Korea.
On departure, the Indonesian Foreign Minister and his colleagues expressed their appreciation to the Secretary for having received them and for having afforded them an opportunity to discuss with him the various subjects set forth above.
Distribution: Basic List
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