INDONESIA

My 164. [1]

1. In a letter of 2nd March to President of Security Council
notifying proposal to hold Round Table Conference at The Hague,
Netherlands Representative here claimed there was 'Complete
identity' between aims of Council and those of his Government
which, however, mentioned fundamental objections to Council's
resolution [2] of 28th January and confirmed attitude [3]
formulated by Van Royen at the time.

2. The letter stated that Netherlands plan for early transfer of
Sovereignty was considered 'most likely to meet with fewest
possible difficulties to speediest possible realisation of
independence in Indonesia'. It was not Netherlands intention to
put to the proposed Conference a plan which would have to be
accepted or rejected in its entirety, but the Netherlands would
'consider' on its merits any solution which might be put before
the Conference and would determine how far it was compatible with
its responsibility'.

3. Date of transfer would depend on wishes of all parties.

Netherlands considered it should be possible to reach agreement by
1st May after which period of six weeks would be needed for
ratification by Netherlands Government. If agreement was not
reached on some points, these might be covered by transitional
arrangements to remain in force with mutual consent for a short
period. Netherlands 'must inevitably' continue to dispose of wide
powers for the time being because of their responsibility until
sovereignty had been transferred.

4. Letter concluded with undertaking to assist the new State for a
limited period after transfer of sovereignty but only if U.S.I.

requested such assistance.