Your tele 153. [1] Message has been conveyed and I have now
discussed it with Schuurman and Van Hoogstraten on the Dutch side.

2. They assumed that the message meant that the ban had been
removed in its entirety and were pleased at this as their private
reports received so far had left them in some doubt of the extent
of the removal.

3. Van Hoogstraten said the Tjibesar was in Australia and could be
used for the first shipment of goods.

4. Allocation of goods between the Dutch and Indonesians had not
been completed but textiles desired by them could be included in
the first shipment. He suggested that Van der Noordaa, Netherlands
Trade Commissioner, who would be directing movement, could most
conveniently inform you of detailed arrangements contemplated in
Australian ports for forwarding the goods.

5. Pursuant to agreement, goods would not be made available to the
Indonesians until the rice they are under obligation to supply is
available. The Indonesian Minister in charge of rice had told him
there was great difficulty in transporting it to ports from the
interior. The same difficulty had occurred in connection with the
export of rice to India. Whether the first ship from Australia
went to a Dutch or Indonesian Port thus depended on actual
availability of rice. If however the first ship came to a Dutch
port the goods intended for the Indonesians would be earmarked and
held for them. At this stage Schuurman mentioned the Dutch
attitude that lifting of the ban so far as they were concerned
must be unconditional, i.e. though they had an agreement with the
Indonesians they could not accept the imposition of conditions by
a third party such as the waterside workers.

6. Concerning return cargoes from Indonesians Van Hoogstraten
pointed out that sisal and tea were estate not native products. If
native produce was available at Republic ports he could probably
help in formalities of clearance at port of loading by making one
of his officers available on the ship.

7. So far as estate products are concerned resumption of export of
these depends upon the outcome of current negotiations.

8. Report on discussions with the Indonesian side will follow as
soon as possible.