501.BC Indonesia/2–249: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
138. Gocus 574.
- 1.
- Letter forwarded Gocus
5721 prepared before receipt Usgoc 2822 this
a. m. In light last sentence your telegram, US representative
will adopt cautious policy and wishes review problems which may
arise before Cochran arrival so as not to operate cross purposes
Department. Assume it desired UNCFI be sufficiently active during week not to
compromise its position before all parties or set precedent of
ineffectiveness. UNCFI
activity may have further effect of tending to soften
Netherlands’ position and produce reasonable response. On other
hand, appreciate that throwing whole matter back into SC, if any other solution remains,
would be futile and, in light all national interests involved,
dangerous. Subject your guidance, will follow pattern below in
various contingencies pending Cochran arrival:
- (a)
- If Netherlands fails answer re resolution (Gocus 571,3 paragraph 3), us representative will seek hold off further report to sc until beginning next week or, if UNCFI feels obligated make earlier report, will so phrase it that it will not provoke immediate action SC and will leave door open for subsequent Netherlands answer.
- (b)
- If Netherlands rejects outright, which seems unlikely from UN official reports here, immediate report SC is probably mandatory.
- (c)
-
If Netherlands announces acceptance resolution but makes strong reservations as to material provisions, UNCFI will probably feel duty make clear to SC in light local conditions precise position assumed by Netherlands. However, if in effect answer is counter-proposal [Page 202] which is fair and reasonable, US representative will induce UNCFI to report in such manner as will permit trial of Netherlands proposals and avoid having whole question again made subject general debate.
In this connection an informal social talk with Yon Baarda, Netherlands Far Eastern office, last night brought opinion that Netherlands will accept resolution, that they wish remain on good terms with UN, that present stakes Western Union too large for them to risk international displeasure. Von Baarda thought UNCFI or successor UN agencies will be here almost two years. To test his reaction US representative asked him whether he anticipated great difficulties in restoration Republican administration Jogja. That part resolution clearly impossible to carry out, he said. Republican leaders would be given governmental status but their actual administration restored nowhere except to extent Republicans might ultimately be organized as one or more negaras.
- (d)
- Meanwhile, UNCFI may find it necessary to continue exert pressure reference matters arising under SC action before 28 January resolution such as release political prisoners, Sjahrir–Leimena mission. Will seek avoid making these subject any SC report this week.
- 2.
- If US representative has not correctly construed Department policy in anticipation of above contingencies, request urgent reply.
- 3.
- Secret Beel letter to BFO (Gocus 571, paragraph 1 (c)), as translated impromptu by Supomo from Dutch, authorities BFO to “consider Republican leaders you have approached to be governmental personalities of a Republic whose status will depend on the people’s will, considering the principle of equal status of member states within framework of Republic of the USI.” Considering there is to be no expression of “people’s will” until fall elections, and that USI is far in future, this seems nonsense and evasive to Republicans. Despite this, BFO today sent telegrams to Hatta and Sukarno stating their conditions accepted (Gocus 571, paragraph 1 (a)). Supomo, Darma and Sudjono believe it essential they see Hatta tomorrow at Bangka in order inform him they did not believe terms BFO telegram accurate in stating his conditions have been met. Have arranged necessary clearances from NethDel.
- 4.
- Republicans state considerable pressure being exerted by Netherlands today oil members BFO to pass resolution condemning 28 January resolution. Anak Agung on Republican advice will try have BFO postpone action until Netherlands answer on resolution given. Republicans have been given to understand that Netherlands desire is to be able announce people of Indonesia themselves have rejected resolution. Signed Lisle.