501.BC Indonesia/6–848: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State
349. Boon today informed Embassy that Vredenburch has been instructed to set forth at Kalioerang tomorrow Netherlands delegation position as follows:
- 1.
- Netherlands delegation desires reply to Neher-Vredenburch aide-mémoire re Soviet relations matter.
- 2.
- Netherlands delegation desires a reply to the invitation extended Hatta by Van Mook.
- 3.
- Netherlands delegation will wish to refer replies to above questions to Netherlands Government in order to enable it to express views. Pending receipt these views, Netherlands delegation not authorized consider suggestions from GOC.
Boon again expressed concern at unfortunate effect GOC proposal at this time and fact proposal known to Republicans who becoming increasingly difficult with resultant jeopardizing achievements so far.
Boon is concerned at report apparently from Netherlands delegation to effect Dubois has advised Republicans against accepting Van Mook’s invitation to Hatta. Boon says he understood Dept favored high level direct contacts this nature.
Netherlands Government, according to Boon, will probably make declaration on Indonesian situation within next 2 or 3 days setting forth position in numbered paragraphs 1 and 2 above.
[Page 232]Boon stressed fact that presentation entire new proposal at this time in addition to creating negotiating difficulties already described would present Netherlands Government with most difficult constitutional problem at time when elections July 7 will be followed by formation new cabinet, probably about August 1. There is, for example, very definite limit to powers which Netherlands Government could constitutionally transfer to provisional federal government prior definitive transfer to USI. Netherlands delegation apparently preparing working paper on this topic.
Embassy trusts final decision proposals Gocus 2751 and 2922 will take into account Netherlands political and constitutional difficulties and will not present to Republic proposal which Netherlands Government might not be able to accept even if it wished to do so.
Department pass Batavia.3