Saw Van der Wijck, Head of the Political Section of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, on August 9th to ascertain the position
regarding the opening date of R.T.C. in the light of your
comments.

2. Van der Wijck stated that it was still not possible to fix the
date but that it was expected that 'serious talking' would have
begun by the end of the month. In reply to a question regarding
the accuracy of a press report giving the 22nd as the opening
date, he said that this date could not be but it appeared at
present to be too early.

3. He gave as reasons for the postponement, the fact that time had
to be allowed for all delegates to arrive. (He stated that Hatta,
now in New Delhi, was also going to London), second 'acclimatise
themselves', in addition the Netherlands Government had to prepare
questions of the implementation of the cease-fire and the debate
on the cease-fire to be held on August 15th. [1] The Government
realised the danger of irresponsible comments during this debate
and would use its influence as far as possible to prevent remarks
likely to offend the Indonesians now in the Netherlands.

4. He replied to a question about the possibility of definite
conclusions before the Assembly by stating that he thought that
tangible progress would have been made in more than three weeks of
discussion which should have taken place by then. An attempt would
be made to have the whole conference completed within six weeks
after commencement.

5. He concluded by a reference to the optimism about the chances
of success shared by all parties.