501.BC Indonesia/10–1248: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Netherlands
us urgent
514. Following despatched Rusk GADel Paris: [Here follows text of telegram Gadel 186, October 12, 8 p. m., to Paris, not printed, but see footnote 2, supra.]
Please impress upon FonMin as soon as possible:
- (a)
- That Dept recommendation to USDel Paris made in expectation of early receipt by Cochran from Neth letter of acceptance prepared in accordance suggestions 3rd para Cochran’s memorandum to Schuurman Oct 10.
- (b)
- That when discussions in SC touch upon Cochran plan USDel will support Cochran plan in discussion.
- (c)
- That Cochran having successfully restrained Repub action SC for nearly fortnight on grounds that Neth acceptance of Cochran plan as basis negotiation was forthcoming, Cochran may find it impossible to take further action with Repub on SC activities.
Inform FonMin further that Dept for its part believes suggestions incorporated Cochran’s memorandum Oct 10 to Schuurman entirely reasonable; that it cannot understand Neth determination to attach counterproposals (oral notes I and II) to letter of acceptance since. [Page 411] Cochran plan is to be accepted only as basis of negotiations and both sides may bring forward any reasonable amendments at that time.
FonMin may protest that Repub is in effect forcing Neth action by ultimatum threatening SC action. If he does so you should say that Dept recognizes that either party could resort to SC at any time they thought it advantageous, that resort to SC is merely one of several pressures which either side might apply to other, that in any case objective which all parties concerned should keep foremost in mind is the resumption of negotiations whether they be brought about through pressure applied by Repub on Neth through SC action or whether as a result Neth pressure on Repub through formation Bandung federation, trade regulations, etc.
For your info Dept is impatient with Neth delay in this matter. Dept believes unreasonably heavy weather being made over mere acceptance of Cochran plan as basis, and only basis of negotiations. Obviously conditions precedent demanded by both Repub and Neth can be resolved. The only serious obstacle remaining relates to Neth insistence on attaching counterproposals to letter of acceptance. It does not seem to Dept that Neth will take pride in days to come in having delayed resumption negotiations on this ridiculous procedural matter.