501.BC Indonesia/6–2348: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
544. Gocus 320. 1. Netherlands Delegation, after receiving 50 copies US–Aus Working Paper plus 100 more at request its secretariat, returned all copies June 20, noting paper could not be discussed.
2. Herremans saw Van Mook June 20 and following day reported to GOC Van Mook assurance Netherlands would be prepared resume negotiations and would notify GOC officially in day or two. Herremans added that Van Mook had said negotiations suspended not only because of publication official document but because discussions could serve no purpose while his talks with Hatta continuing and because Republic’s reply Netherlands aide-mémoire on Soviet recognition unsatisfactory, also that while negotiations under GOC could go on, no progress could be expected on essential points since these now referred by him and Hatta to respective governments and replies being awaited, which would probably take minimum 10 days. Herremans immediately regretted making these additional disclosures, which evidently had been intended for him alone.
3. Antara June 21 announced that left-wing FDR under Sjarifuddin (head Republican Delegation during negotiations Renville Agreement) had rejected US–Aus compromise proposal as “less acceptable than Renville Agreement”. Many objections cited appeared based misunderstandings, perhaps intentional.
4. GOC today received letter from Republican Delegation challenging basis on which Dutch suspended negotiations, requesting GOC intermediacy in bringing about resumption, and expressing view that US–Aus proposals “constitute one of best means with which achieve settlement” and suggesting “negotiations be continued on basis these proposals”.
5. GOC has obtained Netherlands Delegation Agreement to scheduling of Steering Committee meeting this afternoon. Signed Dubois.
Sent Department; Department pass The Hague.1
- This was done the same day.↩