Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXIII, Southeast Asia

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

The Hague, April 3, 1962, 8 p.m.

749. Eyes only Secretary from Ambassador. Embtel 743.¹

1. At his request Foreign Minister Luns received me 5:45 p.m. today and read to me from notes following message for transmission to you. Luns said he had read this message to Prime Minister De Quay.

Verbatim Text.

2. “Dutch Government is shocked and dismayed at contents of proposal made by Bunker at suggestion of US. I am deeply hurt that, after Van Roijen had been acquainted with Bunker’s suggestions, the State Department did not repudiate these views as not being those of American Government. This is a sudden, complete and unexpected reversal of attitude of US. Ever since April of last year we have been led to believe that the President and government fully endorsed our position when these same suggestions were considered by us to be unacceptable. We are greatly hurt and dismayed that, without prior consultation with us, you have seen fit to give these proposals to Indonesians. The stand taken by US Government is that of appeasement in flat contradiction to what you and I stand for. It has not been a fair deal we have had from you. At any time within last 12 years we could have had this formula accepted by Indonesians. We bitterly regret that the US consented to this procedure. I reserve right at an appropriate time to make appropriate comments on attitude of American Government”. End Verbatim Text.

3. Comment:Luns left no doubt in my mind that “appropriate comments” would not be private.

4. In half hour discussion I vigorously countered his argument but he remained implacable.²

Rice

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 656.9813/4–362. Secret; Niact.
1. In telegram 743, April 2, Rice reported that he handed President Kennedy’s letter to de Quay and Luns. Regarding the President’s letter, see footnote 4, Document 252. After reading the letter, Luns stated: “I am extremely disappointed.” If the Bunker formula meant handing West New Guinea over to Indonesia before Papuans exercised free choice, “we will have none of it.” (Department of State, Central Files, 656.9813/4–262) In telegram 747 from The Hague, April 3, Rice reported that Prime Minister de Quay joined in rejecting the idea of a plebiscite after Indonesia took over. (Ibid., 656.9813/4–362)
2. In telegram 1766 from Djakarta, April 3, Jones reported that Subandrio informed him that Sukarno agreed in principle with the Bunker formula. (Ibid.)