501.BC Indonesia/3–2649: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
291. Gocus 638. Presided UNCFI meeting 25th which considered SC’s cable of 23 March, first requesting report on damage Jogja and second regarding assisting parties reach agreement.
I suggested UNCFI ask parties meet with it next week to begin discussions and opposed Critchley’s idea that UNCFI travel to Jogja for further preliminary contact with Repubs there and to assess damage to city and needs to be filled to enable Repub Government function there. Final action on both cables deferred until meeting forenoon today.
Following Friday’s meeting I phoned Schuurman. Told him authorized by UNCFI let him know we had met and contemplated issuing invitations to both parties to meet with us some time next week. Desired inform Netherlands delegation of this decision before issuing invitation to Repub Government send delegation Batavia. Schuurman said he would consult Beel. He called back to state Beel approved Batavia as meeting place but invitation to Netherlands delegation would have to be referred Hague. Schuurman said no decision likely thereon before Cabinet meeting 28th. Consequently it might not be possible Netherlands to meet date if fixed early.
Leimena, Natsir, Supomo and Sudjono visited me Friday 7 p. m. I told them of Lacy and my visit with Repub leaders Bangka. I let them know SC cables above mentioned not received prior our departure from Batavia for Bangka and we had only seen sketchy press reports thereon at Singapore. I expressed my gratification at character of SC directive. Repubs had hoped restoration Jogja would have been spelled [Page 347] out. I insisted directive as stands gives us necessary opportunity accomplish desired end.
When Natsir raised question Repub consultations prior meeting Batavia, I assured them UNCFI would help make whatever arrangements Repubs desire and Netherlands approves. I urged however that Repub leaders Bangka must take responsibility for attending Batavia meeting and must not allege unable take such decisions as would be required at that meeting without prior restoration Jogja. I said meeting Batavia is necessary before there can be any restoration Jogja and Repubs simply must start at this point with such authority as we recognized them to have and take decisions prerequisite to implementation SC resolution.
At UNCFI meeting Friday I volunteered chairmanship Military Experts Board rotate (Uscog 3352). Australian and Belgian colleagues accepted idea with appreciation.
At this morning’s meeting agreed on following report to be cabled SC in reply latter’s inquiry regarding damage Jogja:
“Commission acknowledges receipt of telegram dated 23 March from President of SC to Chairman Commission requesting report on alleged damage in city of Jogja.
“On basis of information available to it from its military observers and from its deputy representatives who visited Jogja on 21 March Commission has honor to report:
- “1. There is no serious damage to city Jogja which would interfere in any way with reestablishment to Repub Government in Jogja.
- “2. However, lack of materials and equipment, part of which has been removed or destroyed since 18 December 1948, will seriously hamper effective functioning of Repub administration. It will therefore be necessary for Netherlands authorities to furnish necessary facilities as anticipated in Paragraph 2 of operative part of SC’s resolution of 28 January.[”]
UNCFI addressed following invitation to Netherlands delegation.
“I have honour refer to Commission’s letter forwarding text of a telegram dated 23 March addressed to Chairman of Commission by President of SC, giving the sense of recent SC debate on Indonesia.
“As a first step in compliance with this telegram, Commission suggests that discussions under its auspices might be held in Batavia between delegations of parties soon as practicable. It is suggested that first meeting be held Wednesday 30 March at 11 hours at Hotel des Indes and Commission would be glad learn whether Netherlands delegation will be prepared attend”.
Similar invitation telegraphed to Repub delegation chairman Roem with following additional paragraph:
“Commission remains ready to lend whatever assistance it can to [Page 348] facilitate contacts between Repub leaders before and during discussions.”
I phoned text invitation to Stuyt this noon. He referred to Schuurman’s talk with me last night and indicated possible delay beyond Wednesday since he understands likely Van Roijen will head Netherlands delegation. Signed Cochran.