Cablegram K156 [KALIURANG, 10] September 1948
IMMEDIATE SECRET
The Americans today presented simultaneously to both parties and to other members of the Committee in the form of informal and confidential oral note a draft agreement for an overall settlement. [1] Covering letter states that if both parties after consideration are prepared to accept draft as a suitable basis for negotiations the United States delegation will introduce draft into Committee as a working paper. The letter also stresses desirability at present of secrecy as to existence and contents of draft.
2. In substance the draft closely follows previous Australian - United States proposals. [2] It provides establishment of a provisional Federal Government following elections to a Federal representative assembly to take place [during] [3] January, 1949 3. My immediately following telegram will give a more detailed analysis of the proposals.
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1 The US ‘oral note’ was subsequently transmitted to the Committee of Good Offices as a working paper on 10 November. The full text of the working paper is given in United Nations, Security Council Official Records, Third Year, Supplement for December, PP.155-69.
2 See Document 173.
3 Critchley’s original words here were ‘not later than’. They were amended by hand on the cited copy according to Critchley’s instructions in his Cablegram K157 of 10 September (Document 238).
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[AA:A1838, 403/3/1/1, xviii]