501.BC Indonesia/7–1149: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia 1
370. Usgoc 402. Van Kleffens saw Rusk today in connection with anticipated difficulties Neth Govt in debate Indo policy in secret session Second Chamber States General Jul 13. Stressing fact (a) that opposition present Govt policy from Anti-Revolutionary party and certain sections Catholic Party had been increased by recent speeches Repub leaders in Djocja, which regarded as inflammatory, and (b) that Govt wld consider anything short of a two-thirds vote of confidence as insufficient, in view of fact that implementation of agreements reached wld ultimately require two-thirds majority, he sought our help in easing Neth Govt over political hurdle which, he said, both Stikker and he regarded as dangerous. Van Kleffens spoke of possibility Govt’s resigning if opposition mustered thirty-four votes.
As you know, Dept predisposed to help either party over political obstacles so long as such action consistent with our major objective, namely, a settlement in accordance with agreements already reached. Wld it be possible and in your judgment desirable for UNCFI, prior to debates in Hague on Wed, to issue statement urging both parties refrain from making statements which are not conducive to furthering an agreement between them? If UNCFI unable take action this regard, Dept authorizes you at your discretion to make such a statement.
In course of conversation, it was pointed out to Van Kleffens that you had already advised Repub leaders in Djocja to buckle down to serious business. However, what Van Kleffens seeks at this juncture is statement susceptible of political use by Neth Govt against its parliamentary critics. Dept willing to have such a statement made, in view Neth Govt’s political hazards, but does not wish you undertake do so if in your opinion there are over-riding reasons against it.
Above drafted prior receipt Gocus 755.2 Your proposed letter to Roem should give Neth Govt considerable assistance forthcoming debate, assuming info your letter usable in closed parliamentary debates. In any event, you may wish consider suggestion of public statement, as means of influencing both parties against making disruptive statements.