501.BC Indonesia/12–2449: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Beam) to the Secretary of State
1026. Gocus 835. At meeting Netherlands Delegation [and] Republican Delegation with UNCI last evening it was decided formally to end functions Central Joint Board and local joint committees as of December 27, Central Board to be replaced by another body to deal with military problems arising after transfer. Composition this committee still under discussion but established that UNCI will be given full opportunity participation.
Assembly sectors Dutch troops after transfer agreed as follows in Java: Areas surrounding Batavia, Seuarang, Bandung and Surabaya. In Sumatra: Medan, Palembang, Padang and probably Djambi This represents victory for Dutch idea of concentrating their troops in main port areas as opposed to original Republican desire to remove Netherlands troops from main cities and place them in camps elsewhere while [Page 587] awaiting embarkation. Netherlands military headquarters will remain Batavia under present plan.
Roem told me after meeting that in his capacity as Minister without portfolio RIS Government, he expected to be able to devote special attention to working with UNCI and proposed to suggest to Cabinet that he be made (informally) Minister for United Nations Affairs. Signed Dow.1
- Mr. Dow succeeded Mr. Cochran as U.S. Representative, UN Commission for Indonesia, and the UN Secretary-General was so informed (telegram 661, December 29, 1 p. m., to New York (USUN)).↩