501.BC Indonesia/1–2049: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Acting Secretary of State
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96. Gocus 555. Following letter to GOC dated 20 January received 1015 signed Sudjono, Secretary General RepDel:
“I have honor to refer to my letter dated 11 January requesting that members RepDel be permitted to accompany GOC on any visit they may make to Republican leaders and to reply of Netherlands authorities of 14 January in which possibility of our visit to Bangka was envisaged. I also wish to refer to your letter of 19 January forwarding copy of telegram from Sobolev, Assistant Secretary General of UN secretariat, regarding provision of facilities for exchange of official messages between Indonesian delegation Lake Success and Republican Government at Bangka and Prapat and regarding arrangements for safe conduct of Republican officials to Lake Success.
Ten days have passed since our original request to contact our leaders. You will appreciate that over this period our need to talk with these leaders has become more pressing and now in light of recent instructions from President of SC as conveyed from Sobolev’s telegram is extremely urgent.
I should therefore be grateful if Committee could arrange with Netherlands authorities to permit members Repdel in Djakarta to visit Bangka and Prapat without delay. It would be further appreciated if I could receive a reply to this request today.”
Sudjono orally explained RepDel has private information Federal group going Prapat tomorrow but willing postpone visit if RepDel given chance to go first. Sudjono emphasized importance RepDel seeing Sukarno before Federal visit.
As chairman of week US representative transmitted above letter urgently NethDel in letter referring also paragraph 7 of GOC report dated January 16 and requested prompt action. At time of delivery US representative, after GOC discusison, suggested orally to NethDel that GOC visit Sukarno tomorrow by GOC plane, not displaying any knowledge of course of Federal plan re visit tomorrow. Riphagen (Schuurman is ill) explained might not be time to make necessary arrangements. Pointed out to him only motor transport Medan to Prapat and return would be required. Riphagen confirmed Palar message to Sukarno and Hatta transmitted expeditiously by telegraph yesterday (Gocus 554). Stated Hatta and other Bangka exiles now have freedom of island and that auto is assigned them.
At 1730 Riphagen called to give answers. Promised confirmatory letters later tonight. He explained Federal Assembly committee going Prapat tomorrow by special plane. They hope induce Sukarno to accompany [Page 185] them immediately to Bangka and there help induce Hatta to join all of them in return trip Batavia. NethDel states three RepDel members perfectly free to go along in special plane. USRep asked whether RepDel could go Prapat or Bangka subsequent day if unwilling accompany Federals. Riphagen replied that this last opportunity, that thereafter RepDel would have to make all arrangements themselves. Asked me transmit this message to RepDel immediately as arrangements require speedy completion.
As to request of GOC, NethDel would appreciate it if GOC went Prapat at later time. USRep asked whether GOC could go tomorrow anyway if it insisted, stating this unlikely. He stated no, impossible get reply in time from Medan as to necessary arrangements. Moreover, said frankly GOC would interfere with consultations that are to go on. Emphasized only Indonesians will go tomorrow, that problem is one for Federal Assembly with which Netherlands does not interfere. Suggests government [ GOC] go Sunday or later if anyone still in Prapat to visit. His hope Sukarno and Hatta will return with Federalists to Batavia probably Saturday. Stated all this given me subject request “not for publication,” as it will be embarrassing if exiles do not agree to come Batavia. USRep stated he would give no information directly to press and would ask colleagues not to do so. Gave him to understand however that this will probably become part of GOC report which will be released in ordinary manner and that it would be reported to Department which was free to use information as to [it] wishes. Conditions Batavia such that USDel anticipates most of this will be general information tomorrow morning anyway.
Sudjono and Supomo arrived 1815. Gave them NethDel answer. They decided it essential that they and Darmasetiawan go along tomorrow in Federal plane as it is important that before Sukarno responds to Federal overtures he be fully informed as to current situation. They will insist at Prapat on seeing Sukarno before he talks with Federals. They fear that their going in company press [apparent omission]. They asked that GOC issue press statement tomorrow morning explaining reason for their trip. Explained this impossible for many reasons. It was decided they would write letter to GOC explaining their position. This can be made subject of later public release either by GOC report to SC or their own volition. They will call later tonight and prepare this letter after official Netherlands letter has been received.
Army information service informed all American correspondents (also French Press Agency represenative) that army will hereafter refuse them special military facilities without which they cannot go into military areas. This explained as result of their “prejudiced reporting”. Pope warned earlier this week his position here jeopardized [Page 186] by Chicago Tribune editorial characterizing Juliana and Spoor as “war criminals”. This follows recent vituperative Netherlands newspaper attacks on UP and AP correspondents. Reporters called in body on Rittman, government information service head, who asked them file no story until he could see them at sixteen hours at which time order rescinded. Signed Lisle.