501.BC Indonesia/7–748
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Southeast Asian Affairs (Reed)
| Participants: | Dr. Eelco N. van Kleffens, Netherlands Ambassador |
| Dr. Nico S. Blom, Special Advisor to the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| Mr. W. Walton Butterworth, Director, FE | |
| Mr. Charles S. Reed II, Chief, SEA |
The Netherlands Ambassador called to introduce Dr. Nico S. Blom, Special Advisor to the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs, who had come to the United States to present the Netherlands Government’s views regarding the Dubois-Critchley working paper. To this end Dr. Blom had prepared two papers: the first, and longer, setting forth his Government’s criticisms of that working paper, and the second incorporating that Government’s views as to the changes and alterations which appeared desirable as well as making concrete suggestions for the settlement of the Indonesian problem. Both the Ambassador and Dr. Blom stated that the latter would be more than [Page 278] pleased to discuss the points raised in either or both of the papers and that he was at the entire disposition of the Department for this purpose. They were informed that these papers would be of considerable interest and value to the Department and that, after completing a study thereof, advantage would be taken of Dr. Blom’s presence in Washington to confer with him regarding the Netherlands Government’s negative and positive suggestions.
In this connection Dr. Blom mentioned that he hoped to return to The Hague within a week or ten days as his Minister desired him to be there during the formation of the new Netherlands Government following the elections. Apropos of this the Ambassador said that the formation would proceed slowly as many parties had to be consulted and a certain amount of “dickering” had to be done. This was especially true, he added, in view of the existence of many questions connected with the Indonesian problem and because constitutional changes are necessary for a settlement of that problem, all of which would call for negotiation and compromise.