Historical Documents - Office of the Historian

“Pursuant to ‘Van Royen–Roem statements’ of 7 May, 1949, and in order implement SC’s directive of 23 March, 1949 and paragraph one and two of operative part SC resolution of 28 January referred to particularly in above-mentioned directive, following orders are issued simultaneously:

a. By Netherlands Government:

‘As from (blank) hostilities between parties shall cease.

All measures shall be taken to cease-fire and to terminate all acts intended to harm other party.

Orders issued by Commander-in-Chief on 1 and 5 January, 1949, are hereby supplemented and it is explicitly ordered, as from (blank), that Netherlands troops shall discontinue all military operations.

Ending of military operations throughout Indonesia will render possible maintenance of peace and order through cooperation between [Page 437] Netherlands and Republican Armed Forces. Cooperation in patrolling, in avoiding clashes and in maintaining peace and order shall be effected between local commanders in accordance with directives to be issued by parties, with assistance of UNCFI.

All persons are hereby warned that any act in violation this order committed after above-mentioned time and date shall be punished in accordance with existing military regulations’.

b. By Government of Republic of Indonesia:

‘As from (blank) hostilities between parties shall cease.

All measures shall be taken to cease-fire and to terminate all acts intended to harm other party.

All personnel of TNI and all other armed adherents of Republic are ordered, as from (blank), to cease guerrilla warfare.

Cessation of guerrilla warfare throughout Indonesia will render possible maintenance of peace and order through cooperation between Netherlands and Republican Armed Forces. Cooperation in patrolling, in avoiding clashes and in maintaining peace and order shall be effected between local commanders in accordance with directives to be issued by parties, with assistance of UNCFI.

All persons are hereby warned that any act in violation this order committed after above-mentioned time and date shall be punished in accordance with existing military regulations’”.

“Simultaneously the following proclamation shall be promulgated jointly by both governments:

Order[s] to cease hostilities have today been issued by Government of Kingdom of Netherlands and Government of Republic of Indonesia. This means that end has come to conflict between Republic of Indonesia and Netherlands,

Henceforth endeavors to [of] everyone must be dedicated to banishing any thought of enmity or revenge and to removing any vestige of fear or distrust.

Many problems remain be solved. This can be achieved through constructive cooperation in atmosphere of confidence and security. Efforts with this purpose must have genuine support of all authorities. Coordinated measures must be taken to deal with all persons who would continue to disturb peace and order, disregarding policies adopted by both governments. To this end both parties shall make use of radio broadcasts and other means in order inform all troops and civilians clearly as possible of content cease hostilities order and this proclamation, and at same time make them realize necessity strictly obeying such order and proclamation and any other directives that may be required.

[Page 438]

In common interest of peoples of Netherlands and Indonesia, and with view to accomplishing steady progress toward early consummation of happy agreement and transfer of real and complete sovereignty, both governments have decreed in common agreement:

1.

That there shall be neither prosecution by course of law nor measures of administrative character against anyone who by fact that he, by offering his services, by seeking protection, or by acting in any other way, has taken sides in dispute which has divided Republic and Netherlands.

2.

That those who have been deprived of their freedom, because of political convictions or functions, or because they have carried arms in fighting organizations of one of parties, shall be released soon as possible.

3.

That those who are being prosecuted or have been condemned because of crimes which are clearly a consequence of political conflict between Netherlands and Republic shall be released from prosecution or reprieved from penalty in accordance with legislative or other measures to be enacted soon as possible. Measures concerning their social rehabilitation shall be worked out in cooperation between parties.

4.

That everyone concerned is ordered:

a.: To refrain from radio broadcasts, press reports, or any other form propaganda aimed at challenging or alarming armed forces or civilians of other party;
b.: To refrain from sabotage and terrorism, and from all direct or indirect threats, destruction and other similar acts directed against persons or groups or [of] persons, or against property wherever it may be or of whomsoever it is;
c.: To refrain from all acts which might be harmful to mutual cooperation;
d.: To refrain from all acts of reprisal or retaliation; and
e.: To avoid and prevent provocations and incidents of any kind.

All persons are hereby warned that any act in violation this proclamation committed after (blank) shall be severely punished”.

“It is agreed by both parties that following shall constitute regulations for implementation of order to cease hostilities, and proclamation promulgated jointly by both governments.

(1): Armed forces of parties shall not extend zones of patrolling, to be delineated in accordance with paragraph 6, or otherwise endeavor improve their respective military positions at expense of other.
(2): Armed forces of each party may be moved to any location within zones of patrolling of that party referred to in paragraph 6.
(3): Free movement of civilian population and free traffic of goods shall be permitted without hindrance, except for right of both parties to take such measures as may be required to ensure there no illegal carriage of arms, munitions and other materials of exclusively warlike character, or propaganda material of subversive nature.
(4): Both parties shall cooperate fully in maintaining law and order, in protecting all elements of population, and facilitating each other’s measures of self-defense.
(5): Patrols of each party shall only be permitted in areas allocated for that purpose to respective parties in accord paragraph 6. All patrols shall be limited to maintenance law and order, including protection all elements of population.
(6): After consultation among themselves, parties shall delineate and allocate, according administrative units, zones of patrolling for maintenance law and order. Central joint board referred to paragraph 7 shall indicate lines of procedure for that purpose. If in any instance parties fail reach agreement on such delineation and allocation, central joint board shall make recommendations thereon to parties and UNCI.
(7): Central joint board consisting representatives both parties and civil and military representatives of UNCI and under chairmanship UNCFI representative (rotated), shall be established. Will be duty of central joint board to observe implementation present regulations, well as cease hostilities order, proclamation, and any other related orders and directives and report and make recommendations thereon to parties and UNCFI. Central joint board shall, as required, establish local joint committees, consisting representatives both parties and UNCFI, which shall be responsible directly to Central joint board.
(8): In zones of patrolling allocated to Republic in accord paragraph 6, Republican Government accepts in addition to duty and task for maintaining law and order, responsibility for feeding, clothing, provision of all services needed by population. Should these facilities not be available to Republican Government, latter will report any deficiencies to Government of Indonesia, if desirable through UNCFI, with view to seeing what arrangements can be worked out, keeping in mind interest of population of Indonesia as whole, and to determining manner in which further government of USI may be responsible for expenditures involved.
(9): All times quoted by either side shall be stated in both Netherlands and Republic local times.
(10): Consultation, communication and supply between responsible civil and military authorities in all areas will be facilitated in both parties.
(11): Present regulations shall enter into force simultaneously with order to cease hostilities.”

“There shall be established a ‘Netherlands–Indonesian manual for military cooperation’. Manual shall consist of military definitions and rules to provide for implementation agreements between parties as set forth in three draft documents designated as (1) cease hostilities order, (2) proclamation, and (3) regulations governing implementation of agreement to cease hostilities. Material contained this manual shall provide technical details considered necessary achieve satisfactory carrying out of policies agreed upon by parties in military field. There shall be no material included therein which contravenes any final provisions of three documents above-mentioned. Work thereon should begin immediately UNCFI’s military advisors and each of parties should assemble material which they think appropriate for manual. It anticipated manual should be completed by date of issuance three documents above-mentioned. With approval of parties, manual may be supplemented and amended to such extent as found necessary in actual practice, so long as terms of above-mentioned agreements not contravened thereby.”

“I have pleasure in referring to following statement made by Dr. Roem at UNCFI meeting May 7, 1949: ‘As chairman RepDel I am authorized by Sukarno and Hatta to give their personal assurances that they favor, in conformity with SC resolution 28 January and directive of 23 March:

(1): Issuance of order to Republican armed adherents to cease guerrilla warfare;
(2): Cooperation in restoration peace and maintenance law and order; and
(3): Participation in RTC at Hague with view to accelerate unconditional transfer of real and complete sovereignty to USI.

Sukarno and Hatta undertake that they will urge adoption such policy by Republican Government soon as possible after its restoration to Jogja’.

Since May 7 our delegates have been engaged in making plans for return of Republican Government to Jogja and in endeavoring reach meeting of minds on three points set forth in Roem’s statement above quoted.

There attached copies of three documents which constitute drafts agreed upon by our delegates, insofar as they are empowered to proceed. These documents are (1) cease hostilities order, (2) proclamation, and (3) regulations governing implementation of cease hostilities order.

[Page 441]

I find these documents in their present form to be reasonable and satisfactory. I am prepared urge adoption policy formulated in these documents by Republican Government soon as possible after its restoration Jogja. I would consider only lesser details covered by these documents as subject to change after consultation on return Republic to Jogja, and by mutual agreement between our delegates. I consider as immutable following elements of policy formulated in documents under reference:

(1): All hostilities between parties, including guerrilla warfare, shall cease.
(2): All measures shall be taken to cease-fire and terminate all acts intended harm other party.
(3): Both parties shall cooperate fully in maintaining law and order, in protecting all elements of population, and facilitating each other’s measures of self-defense.
(4): Ending of military operations throughout Indonesia will render possible maintenance peace and order through cooperation between Netherlands and Republican Armed Forces. Cooperation in patrolling, in avoiding clashes and maintaining peace and order shall be effected.
(5): Armed forces of parties shall not extend delineated zones of patrolling or otherwise endeavor improve respective military positions at expense of other. Patrols shall be limited to maintenance of law and order, including protecting all elements of population.
(6): There shall be neither prosecution by course of law nor measures of administrative character against any one who by sole fact that he, by offering his services, by seeking protection, or by acting in any other way, has taken sides in dispute which has divided Republic and Netherlands.
(7): Those who have been deprived their freedom, because of political convictions or functions, or because they have carried arms in fighting organizations of one of parties, shall be released soon as possible.
(8): There shall be free movement of civilian population and free traffic of goods.
(9): There shall be cooperation between parties in assuming responsibility for feeding, clothing and providing medical supplies and services for population.

It will be my further undertaking endeavor limit amendments to three above-mentioned draft documents to absolutely necessary minimum and to incorporate insofar as possible in Netherlands–Indonesian manual for military cooperation material pertinent to such cooperation. There attached as fourth document description of contemplated manual.”

“I have pleasure in acknowledging your letter dated (blank) and [Page 442] confirming I am in accord that three draft documents attached thereto are in their present form reasonable and satisfactory. I would consider only lesser details covered by these documents as subject to change after consultation on return Republic to Jogja and by mutual agreement between our delegates. I agree further that elements of policy formulated in those documents, as listed your letter under points one to nine inclusive, are immutable.

I agree that we undertake endeavor to limit amendments to three draft documents to absolutely necessary minimum, and to incorporate insofar as possible in Netherlands-Indonesian manual for military cooperation material pertinent to such cooperation.” Signed Cochran.

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

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