INDONESIA

We have heard from London that a Netherlands official has
mentioned to the Foreign Office that The Hague conference is not
expected to start before September. The official was told that in
the United Kingdom view this was too late and that conference
should begin in August at the latest and should not coincide with
the Assembly.

You should see Boon and tell him that we are disturbed at this
report, which suggests that Netherlands authorities may again be
contriving delays. On our reports from Batavia progress in the
current negotiations on the restoration of the Republican
Government is satisfactory, if somewhat slow, and we do not see
why the Dutch should not be able to set a date for The Hague
Conference some time in July if they are as sincere as they now
profess to be in wanting an early settlement. Their objective
should be to have something positive to show to the General
Assembly, which is likely to be hostile if there is still no
settlement in sight.