Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VII, Part 1

501.BC Indonesia/5–549: Telegram

The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State ¹

secret   us urgent

Batavia, May 5, 1949—5 p. m.

410. Gocus 685. Van Royen and Roem each with five members respective delegations met with me for one and half hours last evening. Set forth positions on points taken under advisement after forenoon meeting. Progress made in reaching accord.

Brought Critchley to date last night and informed Herremans this morning of yesterday’s proceedings.

Despatched Navy plane today returning Sultan to Jogja and permitting Laoh spend day there.

This forenoon Netherlands and Republic groups six each met with me for two hours. Agreement reached subject to approval by Bangka and Hague of text statements to be made formally in UNCFI meeting by Republic delegation and Netherlands delegation chairmen, except on point of extent territory to be restored. Explanation thereof and of secret understanding on supplementing “urge” given hereinafter.

Following text statement to be made by Republic delegation chairman:

“As chairman of Republic delegation I am authorized by President Sukarno and Vice President Hatta to give their personal assurances that they favor, in conformity with SC’s resolution 28 January and its directive 23 March: (1) issuance of an order to Republic armed adherents to cease guerrilla warfare; (2) cooperating in restoration peace and maintenance law and order; and (3) participation in a round-table conference at Hague with view to accelerate unconditional transfer of real and complete sovereignty to USI. President Sukarno and Vice President Hatta undertake that they will urge adoption such a policy by Government of Republic of Indonesia soon as possible after its restoration Jogja.”

Foregoing statement supplemented by oral undertaking given by Hatta to Van Royen and Cochran that once returned Jogja Hatta would go far as risking vote confidence for his government on point of policy indicated. Furthermore Roem gave his oral pledge as chairman Republic delegation and as one of leaders Masjumi party to Van Royen and Cochran that he would use his best efforts in both capacities in support said policy. It was agreed further that in addition to permitting publication formal statement above quoted Netherlands Government would be free communicate secretly and not for publication information re oral undertakings of Hatta and Roem to appropriate committee Netherlands Parliamentary body dealing with Indonesian question.

Following text statement to be made by Netherlands delegation chairman:

• “1. Netherlands delegation authorized to state that, in view of undertaking just announced by Dr. Roem, it agrees to return of Republic Government to Jogja.

  Netherlands delegation agrees further to setting up of one or more joint committees, under auspices UNCFI, for such purposes as: (a) to make necessarv investigations and preparations preliminary to ‘return of Republic Government to Jogja; and (b) to study and advise on measures to be taken in-order effectuate cessation guerrilla warfare and cooperation in maintenance law and order.

• 2. Netherlands Government agrees that Republic Government shall be freehand facilitated to exercise its appropriate functions in an area consisting of blank, and that this is a step taken in light of SC’s directive March 23.
• 3. Netherlands Government reaffirms its willingness to insure immediate discontinuance of all military operations and to release immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners arrested by them since 17 December 1948 in Republic Indonesia.
• 4. Without prejudice to right of self-determination of Indonesian peoples as recognized by Linggadjati and Renville principles, Netherlands Government will refrain from establishment or recognition of negaras or daerahs on territory under Republic control prior 19 December 1948 and from expansion of negaras and daerahs affecting said territory.
• 5. Netherlands Government favors existence of Republic as a state to take its place in USI. When a provisional Republic [representative] body for whole of Indonesians to be established and it consequently becomes necessary to determine number of representatives from Republic to said body, this number will be one-half of total membership exclusive of Republic’s membership.

• 6. Consonant with intent of SC’s ruling of 23 March on subject of proposed round-table conference at Hague to end that negotiations contemplated by resolution 28 January may be held soon as possible’.

  Netherlands Government is fully prepared to do its utmost that this conference take place immediately after return of Republic Government to Jogja. At this conference discussions will take place as to way in which to accelerate the unconditional transfer of real and complete sovereignty to USI in accordance with Renville principles.

• 7. In light of necessary cooperation in restoration of peace and maintenance of law and order, Netherlands Government agrees that in all those areas outside residency Jogja where civil, police and other officials of Government Indonesia are not operating at present, Republic civil, police and other officials, where still operating, will remain in function.

  It is understood that Netherlands authorities shall afford to Republic Government such facilities as may reasonably be required by that government for communication and consultation with all persons in Indonesia, including those serving in the civil and military services of Republic, and that technical details will have to be worked out by the parties under auspices of UNCFI.”

Reference “blank” in paragraph 2. Republic delegation draft calls for “residency (Daerah Istimewa) of Jogja” while Netherlands delegation draft specifies “Jogja and its immediate environs”. Roem took position language of paragraph 2 acceptable only if arrangement is initially for all residency. Van Royen took position that unless language stands as quoted he would be obliged reconsider certain concessions already made elsewhere in document. Agreement now depends on willingness Netherlands Government restore Jogja residency. Van Royen consulting Beel, Spoor and other local officials thereon and cabling their views with above quoted texts to Hague for final decision. He indicated readiness his delegation recommend generous policy as possible but reminded Roem there has been Netherlands objection from start discussions to including Maguwo Airport in restored area. Roem insists agreement impossible unless Maguwo included. Republic delegation visting leaders Bangka Friday for consultation and approval above draft. Netherlands delegation anticipates Hague instructions by Friday night or Saturday morning. Republic delegation and Netherlands delegation would then meet informally with me to prepare, if Hague and Bangka agree on texts, for formal UNCFI meeting urgently hoped possible Saturday or Sunday. At UNCFI meeting chairman would ask delegations report results their informal discussions. Prepared statements above quoted would be made. Chairman would then ask Van Royen and Roem confirm his understanding that statements they had just made were agreed upon in consultation and each finds himself in accord with position set forth by other. Plan would be to follow UNCFI meeting with press release giving texts statements and announcing early sending of preparatory committee Jogja while UNCFI discussions Batavia would continue and deal with other agenda matters. These would include methods for achieving cease fire, law and order, time and conditions Hague conference, etc. Signed Cochran.²

Livengood

1. Repeated in telegram 395, May 6, 6 p. m., to The Hague, in 338 to New Delhi, and in 63 to Canberra.
2. In telegram Gadel 30, May 6, 8 p. m., to New York, the Department added: “if agreement in Batavia is reached and announced over weekend and if nevertheless substantial number of powers still want to debate Indonesia problem, US shld not oppose debate but shld use its influence to direct it on lines of congratulation and encouragement to parties to proceed further with details.” (501.BC Indonesia/5–649)