On 12th May the Netherlands Ministry for Overseas Territories ad
interim, Mr J.H. van Maarseveen, made a statement to the House
regarding the agreement invoked by the Van Royen - Rum statements.

[1]

2. Debate on this statement was deferred until Tuesday of this
week by which time Dr Beel's letter informing the Queen of his
desire to be relieved of his post, had reached The Hague. The
result of this postponement was that more attention was devoted in
the Chamber to the resignation of Dr Beel than to the substance of
the Agreement. (See my memorandum No. Hag. 145/49 [2]).

3. The Minister for Overseas Territory pointed out that the
agreement was formed by two statements. Of these the statement by
the Republican Delegation was the first in order of time, and
comprised assurances concerning the ending of guerilla warfare,
peaceful co-operation and participation in the Round Table
Conference. This statement was only a promise by the two highest
members of the Government of the Republic to promote a certain
policy and to urge the acceptance of that policy by the Government
of the Republic. The statement of the Netherlands Delegation, on
the other hand, contained a definite undertaking by the
Netherlands Government to follow a certain course of action. Thus
if the Republican leaders should not succeed in realising the
policy they had accepted, the agreement would lapse.

4. Copies of Mr van Maarseveen's statement, translated by the
A.N.P.-Aneta News Bulletin, are attached. [3]