Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Indonesia, Volume XVII

273. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Japan⁰

Washington, August 27, 1960, 4 p.m.

392. Ref: (a) Djakarta’s 494¹ rptd info Tokyo 8, The Hague 37. (b) Tokyo’s 620² rptd info Djakarta 7, The Hague 4. (c) Djakarta’s 511³ rptd info Tokyo 9, The Hague 39, CINCPAC 71.

In light serious crisis building up over Karel Doorman, anticipate Japanese Government may approach us following up Oda talk with Jones. We recognize Japanese Government caught between conflicting pressures on one hand of maintaining its interests in Indonesia and blocking Indonesian shift toward Communist Bloc and on other hand avoiding antagonizing Dutch to detriment of desires most recently expressed by Kosaka for expansion West European trade. Possibility that Japanese Government may re-assess its position in view planned return Karel Doorman to West New Guinea and may be inclined seek our support to extricate itself from present dilemma. We concur completely with Embassy Tokyo judgement that we should avoid intervening directly in this problem and particularly having Japanese Government shift responsibility for decision to us.

Accordingly in response any inquiries from Japanese Government you should make clear our view that decision re Karel Doorman visit is one for Japanese Government itself to make. In this event you authorized give Japanese Government substance of Indonesian reactions to Karel Doorman cruise and evaluation current Indonesian situation as set forth reftel (c). Department will take same line if approached by Japanese here.

For Djakarta. You authorized take same line with Oda if he should approach you again this subject. You further authorized inform Abdulgani Department confirms position you have taken that in view US policy on West New Guinea issue, US could not take steps influence Japan to cancel Karel Doorman visit.

For Tokyo. Foregoing drafted prior receipt Tokyo’s 650⁴ which being given urgent consideration.⁵

Dillon

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790.5856/8–2560. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Robert L. Sneider of NA and Wenzel of SPA, cleared with WE and SPA, and approved by Parsons. Repeated to Djakarta, The Hague, and CINCPAC.
1. Telegram 494, August 24, reported on a conversation between Jones and Ruslan Abdulgani, Acting Chairman of the National Advisory Council, regarding a planned visit of the Karel Doorman to Yokohama September 8–12. Abdulgani asked whether the United States could influence Japan to cancel the visit. (Ibid., 790.5856/8–2460) See Supplement.
2. In telegram

   620, August 25, Mac Arthur reported that the Embassy felt it would “be grave error” to try and influence the Japanese to cancel the Karel Doorman visit. MacArthur continued: “not only is Karel Doorman incident directly related to West New Guinea issue on which we have maintained strict neutrality, but at same time Netherlands is staunch NATO ally. It would seem unthinkable for us to undermine Netherlands on issue where our policy is one of neutrality.” (Department of State, Central Files, 790.5856/8–2460)

   In telegram 246 from The Hague, August 26, Young agreed with MacArthur’s reluctance to approach Japanese about the Karel Doorman visit and added “that his comments apply with equal force and validity to any suggestion that we approach Dutch re Doorman visit to Japan or its return to West Guinea.” (Ibid., 790.5856/8–2660)

3. In telegram 511, August 25, Jones informed Parsons that a “serious crisis” was building in Indonesia over the Karel Doorman’s return to West New Guinea following its Japan visit. Jones feared the crisis would jeopardize U.S. interests in Indonesia unless allayed. (Ibid., 790.5856/8–2560) See Supplement.
4. Telegram 650, August 27, summarized a conversation between Mac Arthur and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Hisamoto Yamada concerning the Karel Doorman visit. During this meeting Yamada reported that the Japanese Government has asked the Netherlands Government to review its request regarding the Karel Doorman visit, indicating that it hoped that the Netherlands would take the initiative in postponing or canceling its plan. (Department of State, Central Files, 790.5856/8–2760) See Supplement.

5. In telegram 659 from Tokyo, August 28, MacArthur reported that Yamada met with the Netherlands Ambassador and told him that if the Karel Doorman returned to the Netherlands from Japan without revisiting West Irian then the Japanese would permit the visit to Japan. If the Netherlands insisted that the vessel must return there, however, Japan would insist that the visit be canceled. (Department of State, Central Files, 790.5856/8–2860) See Supplement. In telegram 256 from The Hague, August 28, Young expressed his agreement with MacArthur’s comments and stated that Yamada’s proposal to the Netherlands Ambassador in Japan “represents reasonable solution of this difficult problem.” (Department of State, Central Files, 790.5856/8–2860) See Supplement.

   Telegram 678 from Tokyo, August 30, reported that according to Yamada the Netherlands Government had decided that the Karel Doorman would visit Japan as scheduled and not return to West New Guinea but proceed homeward to the Netherlands. (Department of State Central Files, 790.5856/8–3060)