501.BC Indonesia/6–3048: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
577. Gocus 328. 1. GOC considered it had no choice but report to SC substance yesterday’s Steering Committee meeting (Gocus 3261) [Page 276] resulting final deadlock on question discussion US–Aus working paper since question was left open in last report to SC and because Republic was certain any event bring matter SC’s attention. Moreover, GOC cannot indefinitely conceal from SC fact that no negotiations toward political agreement taking place. While Dutch will blame breakdown on submission US–Aus working paper, fact is that prior submission paper parties were proving not even able agree on text report setting forth areas of disagreement on political settlement. It difficult see how political negotiations can be resumed since there appears to be nothing for parties to discuss. Netherlands working papers so far submitted provide no possible basis for political agreement while as The Hague’s 368, June 152 points out, no significant reconsideration Netherlands position likely until at least August 1, even supposing Netherlands genuinely seeks negotiated settlement and would ever seriously reconsider its position. Other hand, Republic regards US–Aus working paper as its only hope and according Antara dispatch June 28 plans send Sjahrir to Lake Success to defend Republican standpoint regarding working paper. Had working paper not been submitted, Republicans would have continued maintain previous position, which equally unacceptable to Netherlands.
2. Re penultimate paragraph Usgoc 118,3 GOC has no intention interfering any way with talks Hatta and Van Mook. However, we understand Hatta believes nothing useful likely come from talks and we increasingly convinced talks were initiated by Van Mook chiefly to forestall any GOC suggestion and to keep GOC quiet by maintaining illusion of progress toward agreement pending holding Netherlands elections.
3. Re last paragraph Usgoc 118 and Usgoc 109,4 we foresee no possibility of GOC as whole submitting new proposals for political agreement unless Department persuades Belgium and/or Netherlands accept essentials US–Aus paper. Unanimity within GOC on any major issue presupposes agreement parties. While there was initially strong evidence Herremans prepared to [go] along with US–Aus working papers, this possibility vanished when Vredenburch got hold of him. Modifications in working paper which BelDel may propose on Netherlands initiative would undoubtedly bring paper in line with consistent Netherlands position which neither AusDel nor USDel considers compatible with workable, realistic solution.
[Page 277]4. Presentation US–Aus working paper June 10 had immediate effect lessening dangerous tensions. Failing any constructive outcome, such tensions almost certain start building up again. Signed Ogburn.
Sent Department 577; Department pass The Hague.5