501.BC Indonesia/3–1049: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State 1
300. At end of SC meeting today Van Roijen expressed some disappointment in US statement2 which he thought was somewhat rough in spots and which he had hoped might have been toned down. Van Roijen added he hoped Stikker proposal would not be rejected. Ross3 told him he thought US statement as well as Palar statement left door open if Netherlands can see way clear to meet essential conditions. Stikker was out in front if his proposal did not meet with sympathetic consideration. He and other conciliatory elements would have to give way to extremist elements.
Van Koijen said he wanted to make clear Stikker proposal did not indicate Netherlands was leading from weakness. Van Roijen minimized in this connection effectiveness of guerrillas.
Text of excerpts provided by Van Roijen from Stikker letter to Bevin in next following telegram.4
- Repeated in telegram 160, Usgoc 331, March 11, 6 p. m., to Batavia.↩
- For statement by the U.S. Representative at the United Nations (Austin) made in the Security Council on March 10, see Department of State Bulletin, March 27, 1949, pp. 379–381; for summary of SC discussions on March 10–11, see ibid., March 13, 1949, p. 317.↩
- John C. Ross, Deputy to the U.S. Representative at the United Nations.↩
- Telegram not printed; Mr. Stikker’s letter of March 8 to Mr. Bevin (not printed) was handed the Department on March 10 by the Netherlands Minister (Reuchlin).↩