501.BC Indonesia/10–2348: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
us urgent
938. Gocus 417. In conference with Hatta October 20, I urged public statement by him or Sukarno with respect assurances required by Netherlands and implementation thereof.
Republic Foreign Minister entertained USDel night 21st. He said objections had increased in political circles to Republic replying favorably to my letter transmitting NethDel oral notes. Foreign Minister said some Republic leaders inclined in present crisis follow German and Japanese habit destroying selves against wall. He preferred negotiate hoping for best but preparing for worst. He stressed necessity improving economic situation of Republic immediately and intimated RepDel would bring up blockade question in negotiations. At same time pointed out bad effect on Republic of knowledge Netherlands bringing more troops and modernized equipment Indonesia probably financed by ECA.
Pringgo Digdo told me later that night of Cabinet meeting that afternoon which he attended. Said session was extremely heated with certain nationalist ministers threatening resign rather than approve [Page 427] letter of agreement as drafted by RepDel. Said Sukarno and Hatta in turn threatened resign if letter not approved. Said I had done well in speaking so frankly with President and Vice President and that their attitude resulted from confidence in me. Letter finally approved with President stating he would promptly fill any positions in Cabinet from which dissidents might resign.
October 22 Hatta received me alone and told me of decision. He gave me English translation Sukarno’s order of day. He handed me personal and confidential letter giving his impressions situation with respect negotiations and putting forward Republic’s side of controversy. Will submit text letter in separate cable since this was partial basis my assurances expressed to Schuurman.
At noon Roem handed me RepDel letter 36/K/IV dated October 21 signed Roem addressed Cochran which reads as follows:
- 1.
- “I have honour to refer your letter October 14, 1948, concerning resumption negotiations between RepDel and NethDel.
- 2.
- “As stated in my letter No. 19/K/IV dated September 20, 1948, the RepDel has been empowered by Government of Republic of Indonesia to resume negotiations with NethDel on basis set forth in your oral note of September 10, 1948.
- 3.
- “I am glad to learn that the NethDel on instructions of its government is also prepared to accept your draft agreement as basis on which to resume negotiations under auspices of GOC.
- 4.
- “The RepDel trusts that negotiations will be resumed without delay. In this connection I wish to draw your attention to second paragraph of my letter No. 20/K/IV of 20 September and to point out that Netherlands Government has not fully met our position. It is hoped that this matter will be clarified in very near future.
- 5.
- “Regarding the 2 conditions of the Netherlands that the truce should be properly implemented before negotiations are resumed I should like to point out that the selfsame conditions were envisaged in last paragraph of my letter 20/K/IV. I need hardly say that we, for our part, are striving for proper implementation of truce. In particular, I should like to draw your attention to our persistent efforts during course of our previous negotiations to have the Netherlands blockade lifted. Those efforts, as you know, have been unsuccessful, as may be seen from the report on trade restrictions of the GOC. I should also like to draw attention to our efforts to have military aspects of truce agreement fully observed. The difficulties encountered from time to time are the object of our constant attention and it cannot be said that at any time we have rejected or failed to come forward with constructive efforts and suggestions to counteract and overcome the difficulties. We are anxious to uphold the truce agreement and assist the GOC in this matter and cannot accept the allegations contained in the Netherlands letter.
- 6.
- “It has been noted that in accepting your plan as basis for negotiations the Netherlands Government has made the same reservations regarding its acceptance as did the RepDel. Indeed, the NethDel has already set out most extensive amendments. We are glad to have an [Page 428] early indication of the Netherlands views but are concerned by the extent and nature of these amendments, which seem to us to differ substantially from your plan, which is clearly based on the Renville principles. We can assure you, however, that we will consider all suggestions in a reasonable spirit and do our best to find a way out of difficulties and disagreements which so clearly exist. For our part we are now preparing our own proposed amendments to your plan which we shall submit so that they too can be considered when negotiations are resumed.
- 7.
- “In conclusion I should like to thank you for your efforts to find a common ground leading to an overall political settlement and to express the hope that nothing will now stand in way of the US oral note being presented to both parties as a working paper of the GOC as was visualized in your letter of September 10, 1948”.
USDel group arrived Batavia October 22, 6 p. m. I phoned Schuurman immediately and arranged appointment for 10:30 p. m. I also told him time Sukarno order of day being broadcast so NethDel could monitor. I handed him following letter dated October 22 addressed Schuurman signed Cochran:
“I have honor to refer to your letter No. 2359 of October 14, 1948, wherein you stated that, acting upon instructions of your government, the NethDel was prepared to accept as basis on which to resume negotiations with the RepDel under the auspices of GOC the draft agreement submitted to the two parties by the USDel as an oral note on September 10, 1948.
“At 12:00 noon on October 15, I delivered to Republic Vice President, Dr. Hatta, copy of your letter 2359, together with copies of your oral notes I and II.
[“]During one week spent in Jogja and Kaliurang I discussed matter of resumption with President Sukarno, Dr. Hatta and various members of RepDel. At 12:00 noon today, October 22, received from Dr. Roem, chairman RepDel, a letter (No. 36/K/IV) dated Jogja October 21 whereof a copy is attached, confirming the readiness of the RepDel to resume negotiations with NethDel on basis set forth in USDel oral of September 10.
[“]At 10:45 on morning of October 22 Vice President Hatta told me of decision of his government with respect to entering negotiations and in regard to taking steps preparatory thereto. He delivered to me translation of an ‘order of day’ issued on October 22, 1948, President Sukarno in his capacity of Supreme Commander of Republic Armed Forces. There is attached a copy of English translation of this document. It is my understanding that his order of the day was to be read to troops by their commanders, to be published in press, and to be broadcast on evening of October 22, both in Indo-Chinese [Indonesian] and English language.
“You will note from paragraph 6 of Dr. Roem’s letter 36/K/IV that the Republic authorities are now preparing their proposed amendments to the USDel draft agreement and that they will submit these so that they can be considered at time negotiations are resumed. Dr. Roem [Page 429] has informed me orally that his delegation will be prepared to enter negotiations on about November 1, 1948.
“With respect to third numbered paragraph your letter 2359 October 14, you will note that Republic officials have full opportunity to study your proposed amendments prior to resumption of negotiations. You are assured that your proposed amendments, and any that RepDel may submit, will be afforded full and equal discussion in negotiations to be held under auspices of GOC. The draft agreement submitted Netherlands by USDel will be the basis on which the negotiations are resumed.
[“]I should add that in my extended conversations with Republic officials during this past week I have been provided personally and informally with information with respect to conditions and to plans. This information convinces me of the intent of responsible Republic authorities to take appropriate measures to make atmosphere for resumption of negotiations as favorable as possible, and to enter such negotiations in good faith.
[“]I now propose to submit the USDel’s oral note of September 10, 1948, together with documents that have been submitted by the parties in response thereto, to the GOC for consideration by the parties as a working paper in their negotiations.”
Text Sukarno’s order of day follows:
- 1.
- “Report reaching me today from the CIC of Republic Armed Forces states that with recapture of the last PKI–FDR strongholds at Patjitan and Pati and the destruction or surrender of last rebel battalions along north and south coasts, the campaign to wipe out the military rebellion has been all but completed. Only scattered remnants of rebels conducting small affrays of local character have yet to be eliminated and this will be done with no less speed and strength.
- 2.
- “Thus the sad tragedy has for most part come to an end, a tragedy which—by sharpening the existing political difference—has split our unity and which has forced me to order the Armed Forces to restore base of unity by force of arms, and with the support of our people. With success we have achieved in these efforts our state has proven to outside world our ability to safeguard the peace and order of our people with our own strength and with our own apparatus, even though faced by the most difficult circumstances.
- 3.
- “I offer my gratitude and pay honor to our Armed Forces. To the heroes who have given their lives in the service of their country and to the victims amongst the civil servants and the people I pay the greatest tribute. To the relatives whom they have left behind I offer my most sincere condolences.
- 4.
- “And I deem it fortunate indeed that the Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia have been cleared of the seeds of dissension planted by those who regard party interest as of far more importance than safety of the state. Consequently, your Armed Forces have now been welded into strong unity of pure principles and will grow as the pride of whole Indonesian nation.
- 5.
- “As organ of power of Republic of Indonesia, our Armed Forces is to continue its duty of defending the state, from within as well as from without, which includes safeguarding of the basic principles and [Page 430] the constitution. And likewise it is also to safeguard the agreements made by the state, including the truce agreements immediately under supervision of the SC of the UN.
- 6.
- “At this historic moment I express my gratitude to entire Indonesian population which spontaneously declared their allegiance to the state and gave their support to best of their ability.
- 7.
- “The Armed Forces of Republic of Indonesia and people of Indonesia should be conscious that our national struggle has not yet been finished. Follow strictly the discipline of the army and national discipline. Strengthen the unity of the army and national unity.”
Schuurman read letters and enclosures. Expressed gratification change in tone RepDel letter from previous communications and thanked me for my efforts with Republic. I told him I felt Sukarno and Hatta serious in desire resume negotiations and reach agreement on entering USI. In conversation I assumed NethDel would now go along with early negotiations. I told Schuurman our assistants should go over matter of submission documents to GOC. He said he, Stuyt rand Riphagen would study RepDel answer this weekend and ask us any questions. Consequently we are not planning any press release or other step until final NethDel reaction received. Personal relations between NethDel and USDel entirely cordial. Feel penultimate paragraph Gocus 4152 may have been misleading. Lease [Please] disregard. Also note same message contained one typographical error to include “insert.”
Batavia press this morning reports Sukarno’s broadcast and also RepDel communiqué with respect favorable answer given me. Visited Schuurman 10:00 a. m. his request and clarified for him one point my letter 22nd. He said he telegraphed letter and enclosure Hague last night and should have final reaction by Tuesday. In meantime he agrees answer any press questions by statement negotiations still informal and no comment. Signed Cochran.
Sent Department 938; Department pass The Hague.3