501.BC Indonesia/6–1149: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
528. Gocus 723. Hatta and party arrived back Bangka 10th, 4 p. m. from Kotaradja. Some of party returned Batavia 7 p. m. Received Roem, Sultan Jogja, Leimena and Sastroamidjojo this morning. Sastro recounted trip with Hatta. Said party received excellent reception by military governor Atjeh, other officials and population. Col. Hidayat, Republic Military Commander Sumatra, had been obliged travel several days on foot from his headquarters Central Sumatra to participate in meetings with Hatta. Was not possible for Sjafruddin and members emergency government reach Kotaradja. Direct exchange of communications by radio was possible for first time and utilized advantageously. Sastro said by this means Sjafruddin group given full information to date. Sastro thought outlook for cooperation entirely favorable. Methods being considered by which UNCFI plane can land Central Sumatra to take Sjaf ruddin emergency government leaders Jogja once Repub group returned there.
[Page 423]Sastro said valuable consultation had with Hidayat to whom tentative drafts cease hostilities order, proclamation and rules for peace and order were shown. Hidayat was to return to his troops. No military advisor brought Batavia from Atjeh.
Sultan said not yet able get Simatupang or other TNI leader into Jogja and thence Batavia as advisor. I made point civilian evacuation Jogja now apparently ended and emphasized necessity following soonest with Netherlands’ military evacuation. Raised question as to whether RepDel would ask Hatta, when Roem and group spend tomorrow Bangka to approve in present form and without waiting longer for Repub military advisor, three documents of committee two above-mentioned in order that Netherlands may feel warranted begin military evacuation. Roem willing recommend this if Van Royen would permit such subsequent changes as TNI military advisors, whenever available, might consider absolutely essential. This [That?] is present documents would be approved for recommendation to restored government Jogja with understanding only to be amended if military advisors consider them unsatisfactory or have additions to make which could not properly be included in manual which is now under contemplation for guidance field officers both parties.
Roem stated Hatta would like invite Van Royen visit him Bangka shortly. I was sure Van Royen would accept and thought it might be possible gentlemen’s agreement on above point with respect to approving three documents at once might be worked out on this visit.
Repubs will also seek clearance from Hatta on remaining points to be agreed with Netherlands on conditions round-table conference. These include role of UNCFI. I opposed Repub idea that Hague conference be considered simply transfer of meetings from Batavia and still under UNCFI auspices. I argued that (1) UNCFI headquarters continues Batavia with deputies, most of secretariat and all military personnel remaining here; (2) Hague conference called by Netherlands Government at its capital with its Cabinet constituting NethDel; (3) UNCFI invited by Netherlands Government “to assist” and authorized by SC directive March 23 to “participate” in accordance with its terms of reference; (4) responsibility for conference should be left entirely on Netherlands Government; (5) UNCFI within terms reference should be able participate in all meetings, make recommendations to both parties, receive all documents, make such documents available to SC and UNCFI headquarters Batavia, report when necessary to SC re progress conference, record final results thereof, report to SC at any time if conference should not proceed in manner anticipated. I stated if these responsibilities and privileges approved by NethDel, it would be possible for UNCFI perform its full role, [Page 424] without having burden managing conference. Sultan said problem remained re arming his police. In response my question, he said sufficient armed TNI in residency to take over authority initially from Netherlands military. Said he has now 200 mobile police with arms. Said he already has approximately 600 civilian police without arms but otherwise ready participate. I told him had discussed this question with Lovink and Van Royen and hoped formula could be proposed by Netherlands for meeting situation.
Discussed procedure to be followed by UNCFI in bringing representatives from areas other than Repub into current discussions. I explained that at formal meeting yesterday UNCFI had so handled question of rules of procedure to eliminate possibility BFO now being considered third party to Indo dispute before SC. I sought Repub ideas as to whether initial meeting should be formal or informal and to what extent draft documents should be revealed.
In view urgency get as many matters cleared as possible with Hatta tomorrow, I suggested having Repub group meet with Van Royen before their departure. Saw Blom in absence Van Royen and arranged meeting with me between Repubs and Van Royen on latter’s return this evening. Signed Cochran.
- Repeated in telegram 508, June 13, 9 p. m., to The Hague.↩