501.BC Indonesia/3–1149: Telegram
The Consul General of Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
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250. Gocus 625. Colonel Carlock2 returned last night with senior Australian and Belgian military observers from trip Jogja. Team interviewed Republic Ministers Djuanda and Laoh at liberty in respective homes Jogja who consider restoration Republic Government there entirely feasible with assistance Sultan. These ministers desire UNCFI arrange for them visit leaders Bangka. Netherlands military commander Jogja said could not give team permission interview Sultan re March 1 incident Jogja without prior authority from Batavia.
British Consul General inquired this morning re UNCFI visit Bangka. I said Republicans insistent on Jogja and showed him letter Mar 10 from Roem to UNCFI3 clarifying Sukarno’s letter March 4 to Beel re round table invitation. UNCFI wiring correspondence this [Page 316] type Lake Success as received in order keep SC informed during session.
Talked Anak Agung this afternoon. BFO meeting postponed from last night not held today. Leaders BFO delegations however called to Palace this morning. Beel there read them Van Royen’s SC speech of yesterday in explanation Netherlands position. Anak told Beel BFO position already indicated in resolution March 3. To me he said his government approved position he took therein and he can only adhere thereto or resign. Anak said Hamid now has another resolution which will probably be introduced BFO meeting at 9 a. m. Anak and his sympathizers will oppose this if it inconsistent with or seeking invalidate resolution March 3.
Anak asked me if any danger SC weakening on January 23 [28] resolution, especialy restoration Jogja. I assured him no danger on American side and certainly earliest press reports received so far covering first three speeches showed no tendency toward SC weakness. He said BFO leaders would be greatly disappointed and “let down” if SC should retract from resolution and support of Republic. He said if Netherlands not willing abide by Jogja clause SC resolution in order achieve own end of round table conference plan, certainly could not he expected carry out SC resolution if no round table.
Received Usgoc 3294 4 p. m. and immediately called on British Consul General. He had not received Stikker letter. Read me from cable file including one message which set forth five conditions as given in Usgoc 325.5 In absence Stikker letter, am assuming his proposals involve five points under reference. Consul General promised let me know soonest if Stikker communication received. Following observations submitted on five points in order listed Usgoc 325.
- 1.
- Latest information Jogja indicates civilian police not likely be available in adequate number to maintain order if Republicans restored. Sukarno agreed with me yesterday minimum number military should be brought in to supplement civil police. Carlock says ministers whom he interviewed Jogja consider nearby TNI troops best source for required military police. In earlier talks with Republicans, have made point strongly that if Jogja restored UNCFI would have responsibility seeing jogja does not become haven or concentration point for armed forces. Have had every assurance from Republicans that this not contemplated and will not be permitted.
- 2.
- Do not understand how numbered paragraph 2 SC resolution January 28 can be implemented with regard to administering “city of Jogja and its immediate environs” without some limits being fixed. Would leave this to judgment military observers in liaison with Netherlands and Republican authorities.
- 3.
- Would definitely agree no separate currency should be established but would remark that Republican currency unit rupiah continues to be accepted many places not only along with but in preference Netherlands florin. Carlock tells me both currencies circulating Jogja.
- 4.
- Agree no victimization should be practiced and military observers should observe and report to UNCFI if any evidence thereof.
- 5.
- Oppose any condition which would prevent Republicans from having freedom present whatever requests they may see fit to make. Have already personally cautioned Sukarno and other Republican leaders they must be reasonable once restored Jogja and UNCFI will consider it its duty to insist thereon. As for final suggestion that I be asked persuade Republicans accept invitation Hague conference Gocus 6246 and other recent messages show my readiness to do everything proper toward this end, as well as prospective Republican agreement thereto provided Jogja restored.
It is difficult for me to go beyond foregoing comments in absence text Stikker letter and latest word re Netherlands position at Hague and Lake Success. Believe strongly however that onus is on Netherlands Government to show its good faith rather than upon British and US Governments to seek conditions for Netherlands acceptance one part SC resolution. I believe every consideration has been shown Netherlands Government by friendly powers and SC. Am convinced that present is time for definite showdown. If Netherlands desires round table “detour”, it should certainly be called upon to meet at once provisions SC resolution necessary to such detour. At same time should not be excused from any provisions resolution until SC shown Indonesian question honorably settled with realistic transfer sovereignty. If Netherlands Government unwilling meet above conditions, feel Netherlands must bear consequences.
Visited Schuurman 5:30 p. m. his request. Asked me about Bangka visit. I said informal with no significant developments. Summarized by saying Republican leaders insistent on restoration Jogja and genuinely interested in round table idea. Added that I had volunteered to Republican leaders UNCFFs duty to see they act reasonably if and when restored Jogja.
Schuurman showed me copy press cable filed third by Pope to Chicago Tribune alleging “UN sources Batavia” critically delaying tactics, etc. I said this did not worry me and I did not desire to [do] anything to limit freedom of press correspondents. Remarked however I resented spirit shown by Netherlands in distribution at Lake Success snapshot of secretariat group (New York’s 297 to Department7 relayed Batavia). Schuurman said he unaware such distribution and regretted it very much. Signed Cochran.
- Repeated in telegram 213, March 12, 4 p. m., to The Hague, to be forwarded to Brussels.↩
- Col. Willard B. Carlock, U.S.A., senior military observer on Java.↩
- For text, see SC, 4th yr., Suppl. (March), pp. 34–35.↩
- Telegram 155, March 10, p. 314.↩
- Telegram 145, March 8, p. 308.↩
- Telegram 246, March 10, p. 311.↩
- Not printed.↩