840.00/3–949: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Netherlands
niact
211. Embtel 229, Mar 9. US obligations under UN Charter are identical with those of other members. US remains convinced fairness SC res,1 Jan 28 and in absence free agreement between parties upon [Page 195] solution outside terms of res will fully discharge obligations imposed upon it by membership UN and its position SC in support res. As in other cases it will contribute what it can to wise decisions by Council as to its course action. US cannot regard itself as having sole responsibility nor will it assume unilateral and arbitrary role.
Irrespective of specific provisions of Charter, it is quite clear that [US?] may find it necessary to refuse to furnish mil assistance to any country engaged in mil activity contrary to a SC res in which US participated and which it supports. This is fact of which WU countries have been apprised. Our view is that WU meeting should pro-proceed on assumption that Neth Govt will so act as to satisfy SC and thus remove difficulty cited, and should not be led by Neth into a discussion of this issue.
You should advise Stikker of Dept’s position as set forth in Deptel 768 to London (rptd Hague as 1982) and make clear US in fairness to Neth Govt feels obliged to give notice of problem which may arise if present situation continues.
- United Nations Security Council resolution S/1234 concerning Indonesia, printed in Department of State Bulletin, February 27, 1949, p. 250. For documentation on Indonesia, see vol. vii, pp. 119 ff.↩
- The position referred to here, as set forth in telegram No. 198 of March 8, 1949, not printed, is presumably a statement that the U.S. Government was not pressing for adherence to a Security Council formula but rather was searching for a mutually satisfactory solution. (840. 00/3–749)↩