856e.01/9–1448: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Netherlands
443. Van Kleffens called upon Lovett Sept 14 on subject Indonesia. He stated decision taken by Neth Cabinet send Stikker and Blom Wash Thurs this week confer Sec and UndSec on draft proposal submitted by Cochran, and requested our agreement. When queried, van Kleffens stated that purpose FonMin’s visit here would be two-fold: (a) to point out certain respects (unspecified by van Kleffens) in which draft proposal was considered by Neth Govt as impractical; (b) to point out political difficulties of Neth Govt in obtaining necessary two-thirds vote in States General to implement certain unacceptable points Cochran proposal.
UndSec replied that we would, of course, be pleased to receive Neth FonMin and Dr. Blom, if Neth Govt deemed it advisable and necessary for them to make trip, and that appointment with Sec could be arranged for Fri Sept. 17. However, UndSec raised with Amb certain points which in his opinion might render it inadvisable for Neth FonMin to proceed to Wash at this juncture, namely (a) necessity locus negotiations remain Batavia, (b) possibility FonMin’s visit to Wash would appear to Rep as evidence US-Neth complicity, with resulting difficulty Cochran’s transmitting to Rep any changes proposed by Neth.
From van Kleffens’s remarks, it appears that regardless his advices to Hague, decision has already been taken for Stikker and Blom proceed Wash. You are requested, therefore, inform appropriate official FonOff US Govt assumes Neth Govt has carefully considered points a and b above in connection with FonMin’s proposed visit, and attendant risks to successful negotiations in Batavia. In event decision remains that Stikker and Blom’s visit is necessary, inform FonOff that US Govt would be pleased to receive them.1
- Repeated as 423 (Usgoc 139) to Batavia.↩