Mediation in Indonesia

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26532, 6 August 1947, Page 5

Mediation in Indonesia

SITUATION STILL EXPLOSIVE Rec. 11 p.m. WASHINGTON, Aug 4. Issuing a warning that the Indonesian situation is still explosive, the New York Times in a leader urges the United Nations Security Council either to appoint a commission to mediate between the Netherlands and the Indonesian Republic or to suggest the procedure that should be taken in the selection of a neutral commission or arbitration board. The article declares that'the most sensible plan would be the appointment of a three or four-nation commission to oversee both the implementation of the truce and the negotiation of a new pact to replace the Cheribon Agreement. The article says that observers armed with the prestige of the United Nations should be on the ground as quickly as they can be conveyed there to evaluate the charges and counter-charges of trucebreaking that will undoubtedly be made during the next few days. The United States Government has been prevented from offering its good offices to the Indonesian Government merely because of lack of communication facilities, said a State Department spokesman. There has been no word from the Consul-general in Batavia, Mr Walter Foote, whether he has been able to establish or maintain contact with Indonesian officials since the fighting started a fortnight ago. The spokesman, denying that there was any intention of slighting the Indonesians, said: “ No legal difficulties stand in the way of making the same offer of good offices to the Indonesians as has been transferred to the Dutch. No question of recognition arises, because Washington had already extended de facto recognition to the new Government, as have the Dutch.”