320/7–2254: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Matthews) to the Department of State
128. Re Embtel 124, July 21, 1954. In connection Van Kleffens candidacy for presidency Ninth General Assembly should be recalled Dutch last year sought our support his election as president Eighth General Assembly. Dutch request made by Minister De Beus, August 14, 1954 [1953] to then Assistant Secretary Murphy. According memo conversation Murphy said that we were committed support [Page 560] Madame Pandit if she were candidate but raised question presidency Ninth General Assembly as alternative. Subsequently, Dutch Embassy Washington asked Department not commit itself to any candidate for Ninth General Assembly until after views Western European countries received.
Dutch consider they were encouraged to believe when turned down for support for Van Kleffens candidacy in Eighth General Assembly that we would be favorable his candidacy for Ninth General Assembly, particularly since Department’s officers expressed high regard for him and conviction he would make excellent presiding officer. FonOff instructed Netherlands Ambassador Washington as early as March 22 seek US support Van Kleffens’ candidacy this year thus avoiding criticism of last year that matter raised too late. The Dutch have repeated request US support several times since then but without obtaining statement US intentions. Nevertheless, as reported Embtel 1216 May 10 FonOff has been confident obtaining backing. Shock and anger at US decision support Prince Wan instead Van Kleffens intensified by Dutch conviction US taking their friendship and support for granted while attempting, as Luns expressed it to me, to win “cheap and ephemeral victory” in Asia. Dutch will feel constrained demonstrate in other matters involving Netherlands-US relations that taking their support for granted is a mistake. Our position will certainly stimulate Dutch thinking of return to pre-war neutralism and disillusionment with Atlantic and European integration of which they have been such staunch advocates. Their growing anxiety concerning US leadership and belief our policies are shifting and uncertain will receive further confirmation in their minds.