Cablegram 445 CANBERRA, 7 May 1948
SECRET
It is desired that a communication in the following terms be sent to the United States Government immediately:
‘The Australian Government has reviewed the position of its contingent of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan.
As demilitarisation tasks in the B.C.O.F. area have been completed, and in view of the settled conditions in Japan, the Government proposes to reduce the Australian contingent to one Army battalion and one Air Force squadron with the necessary administrative units for their maintenance, of an approximate overall strength of 2,750. The reduction would take place in progressive stages and be completed by or shortly after 31st December, 1948. In accordance with paragraph 3 (b) of the MacArthur-Northcott agreement [1] the foregoing proposals of the Australian Government are submitted for the agreement of the United States Government.’ [2]
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1 Volume 8, Document 463, and as modified in Volume 9, Document 49.
2 Makin presented a note in these terms to the Department of State on the same day.
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[AA:A1838/283, 481/1, ii]