361

Critchley to Department of External Affairs

Cablegram K204 BATAVIA, 9 December 1948, 6.45 p.m. Received 10

SECRET

Cochran has received instructions that report mentioned in paragraph 6 of K 202 [1] should be detailed as possible and should [include the texts] [2] of Critchley-Dubois plan [3] and Cochran plan. [4] Naturally I shall support him in this.

2. The report will necessarily largely depend on the account given by the parties to the Committee, of the breakdown of the direct talks. The Republic’s report [5] has already been received and the Committee is awaiting the report of the Netherlands Minister who should have reached The Hague today. [6]

3. I returned to Batavia today after two days’ visit to Djokjakarta and I am convinced that the establishment of the Interim Federal Government without the Republic will result in stiffening of the Republic attitude and in diminution, to vanishing point, of already slight prospects of negotiated settlement. I understand that Cochran has reported to his Government in similar terms.

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1 Document 350.

2 Inserted from a copy on file AA:A4357/2, 48/254, vi.

3 See Document 173.

4 See Documents 237 and 238.

5 The reports from the Republican Delegation were dated 7 and 8 December. The texts are given in United Nations, Security Council Official Records, Third Year, Supplement for December, pp.126-33, 143-49.

6 The Netherlands Delegation transmitted its report on the informal discussions between the Netherlands and Republican Delegations to the Committee of Good Offices on 11 December. The text is given in United Nations, Security Council Official Records, Third Year, Supplement for December, pp.150-2.

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[AA:A1838, 403/3/1/1, xix]