Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Indonesia, Volume XVII

275. Telegram From the Embassy in the Netherlands to the Department of State⁰

The Hague, September 3, 1960, 6 p.m.

297. Paris also for USRO. Department pass CINCPAC for POLAD.

1. Foreign Minister Luns advised me this noon, September 3, when he came to lunch alone at Embassy residence, that Japanese had cancelled Karel Doorman visit.¹

2. Luns said that Japanese Foreign Minister had telephoned Japanese Ambassador The Hague this morning asking latter to see Luns immediately and request Dutch to cancel visit of Dutch Naval unit. In event that Dutch did not cancel visit, Japanese Foreign Minister stated his government would then have to “remit visit to some future date.” Luns said that this did not mean end of September or any other forseeable date in immediate future and amounted to outright cancellation.

3. Luns refused cancel visit and evidently gave Japanese Ambassador full-blown lecture on state of Japanese Government, danger of being blackmailed by robbers like Sukarno, lack of free-world support by Japanese, and other pertinent and related subjects.

4. Dutch Foreign Office will put out communiqué this afternoon, September 3, which will state that visit cancelled by Japanese specifically due to Indonesian pressures. Luns stated decision would be made later today re any action which may be taken by Netherlands Government as result Japanese cancellation. Luns thinking at lunch time was that he would withdraw Dutch Ambassador from Tokyo. Response my inquiry whether this meant break in diplomatic relations or just extended consultations, Luns replied “probably extended consultations or something like it.”

5. Luns attitude, and he reflects that of Netherlands Government, was most bitter against Japanese, almost to point of being violent. Luns was greatly upset personally at Japanese attitude, which of course he regards as lack of support for entire free world. He finds it hard to believe that Japanese could be so blackmailed by Indonesians.

6. Luns made strong emotional plea for US support of Dutch position and fervently hoped US would make some statement which would at least concur in Dutch attitude and expressed disappointment in Japanese action. During course of lunch, Luns repeated this plea several times in different forms, even going so far as insisting that US must condemn Japanese for this decision and support its friend and ally, the Netherlands. Luns asked specifically that I transmit his request, which I promised to do. But, at same time, I reminded him of long-standing US position, and my conclusion is that he will not be surprised if US does not respond to his appeal.

7. Luns said that Doorman would go to Noumea on September 17 and that this would be announced.²

Young

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790.5856/9–360. Secret; Niact. Repeated to Tokyo, Djakarta, and Paris.
1. Sukarno met with Japanese Ambassador Takia Oda at Bogor Palace on September 1 and requested that the Japanese Government cancel the Karel Doorman visit. Oda informed Jones the following day that, as a result of Sukarno’s representations, he had recommended to his government that the visit be canceled. (Telegram 643 from Djakarta, September 2; ibid., 790.5856/9–260)

2. In telegram 330 to The Hague, September 4, the Department informed the Embassy that “we cannot comply with Luns request that we issue statement expressing disappointment at Japanese action cancelling visit.” (Ibid., 790.5856/9–360) See Supplement.

   Circular telegram 374, September 8, gave the Department of State’s assessment of the Japanese decision to withdraw its invitation for the Karel Doorman to visit Japanese ports. (Department of State, Central Files, 790.5856/9–860) See Supplement.