UNITED STATES DELEGATION TO THE SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
November 7, 1952 (typed November 10, 1952)
SUBJECT: Dutch New Guinea; Status of Troops in Japan; ANZUS
PARTICIPANTS: Foreign Minister Casey, Australian Delegation The Secretary of State Ward P. Allen
COPIES TO: U.S. Delegation, 7th GA Mr. Taylor Ambassador Key Mr. Ross Secretary-General Ward P. Allen Reference
Department Distribution to be determined by S/S.
Dutch New Guinea. Minister Casey referred to a conversation which he had November 6th with Foreign Minister Luns of the Netherlands at which time Mr. Luns had given him a copy of the statement recently made in the States General (copy of which had been given to Mr. Acheson by Mr. Luns on Oct. 31). Minister Casey reported that the text as actually delivered was slightly stronger since it eliminated the following indicated phrases:
"The Government believes that a resumption of the negotiations on Netherlands New Guinea with Indonesia will not serve any useful purpose".
Since Minister Casey said that he had understood the general reaction in Djakarta had been mild and the press reaction in some cases quite good, the Secretary read to Mr. Casey Telegram No. 842 from Djakarta which reported sharp reaction both by government officials and by most sections of the press.
Minister Casey reiterated Australia's hope that the U.S. would support the Dutch position on this issue. The Secretary indicated that the matter had been raised with him recently by both Minister Luns and by Minister Mukarto of Indonesia, each of whom had requested US support for their position. He had replied that in our view this was a matter between the Netherlands and Indonesia; we see no helpful contribution we can make now and, therefore, desire to maintain a neutral attitude. Minister Casey seemed to understand but pointed out that so far as Australia was
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concerned public reaction would be very violent if any change of status of Dutch New Guinea should be brought about. In response to his question, the Secretary stated he would not hazard a guess as to what views, if any, the new administration might have on this matter.
Status of Troops in Japan. Minister Casey stated that Australia was most anxious to obtain U.S. support for Australia's position that Australian troops be given the same treatment as U.S. troops. He felt that the Japanese Government is seeking to "fob off" the Australians by offering them only the equivalent of NATO status, whereas the U.S. troops are entitled to more favorable status. The Secretary replied that we have asked Ambassador Murphy in Tokyo to take up the problem and seek to work out a solution with the Japanese Government. He added that while of course U.S. troops at present enjoy a more privileged status, the Japanese Government has been seeking to have the equivalent of NATO status applied for all troops, including ours, and we have taken the position that an effort to do this now would be unwise since it would prejudice Congressional approval of the NATO status agreement.
ANZUS. Mr. Casey reported that since he and Mr. Eden had been conducting a series of fruitless correspondence on this matter, Prime Minister Menzies had recently sent a communication to Mr. Churchill suggesting that further discussions be postponed until he, Menzies, could discuss the matter with Churchill upon his arrival in London later this month. However, Mr. Casey wondered whether it might be useful for Mr. Acheson and Mr. Webb of New Zealand to have a brief chat on this matter early next week. The Secretary stated he would be delighted. (No definite arrangements were made but it is assumed that Mr. Casey will take the initiative).
WPAllen:bw