501.BC Indonesia/3–2249
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Joseph W. Scott, of the Office of European Affairs
Mr. Helb telephoned to say that he considered it important that we promptly advise the Netherlands’ authorities, through our Embassy at The Hague, that Merle Cochran’s appointment as Ambassador to Pakistan would not interfere with his duties as U.S. Representative on UNCFI.1 Helb said that those in the Government who had been opposed to Cochran as not being qualified for the job in Batavia would characterize his appointment as Ambassador as “a kick up stairs”. Those who felt we were to blame for continued Security Council intervention would use the appointment to emphasize our lack of seriousness in allowing a situation to arise in which vital Netherlands’ interests would be handled by the “number two man” on our Delegation. Helb added that the Dutch press could be expected to make much of this, and that he hoped we would do the necessary, via Embassy Hague, to prevent it, particularly at the very time when the Government appeared to be “coming around a bit” and viewing the situation “unemotionally”.
Helb didn’t say so in so many words, but I believe what he had in mind was that a great deal of the effect of Cochran’s talks in The [Page 239] Hague would be dissipated unless we were quick to emphasize that he was still in a position to carry out his duties as U.S. Representative on the Commission. I think his reference to Cochran’s appointment as “a kick up stairs” probably means he fears that the appointment, unless fully and promptly explained, may be interpreted as a weakening in our basic position.
- The Department of State Bulletin, February 20, 1949, p. 228, stated: “H. Merle Cochran, U.S. Representative on the [U.N.S.C.] Commission [for Indonesia], has been nominated by the President to be Ambassador to Pakistan. Due to the critical state of the Indonesian situation, Mr. Cochran will continue his work with the Commission until conditions warrant his departure for Karachi to assume his duties there.”↩