501.BC Indonesia/1–2049: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Acting Secretary of State
58. In conversations with Lovink this morning, following indication Foreign Office was in receipt revised draft SC resolution (as set out Deptel 43, January 181) considerable satisfaction was expressed to Embassy officer over numerous revisions. Lovink said text, on first reading, seemed to be “negotiable”, with one all-important exception, namely, the provisions for restoration Republican Government. He said quite frankly that Netherlands Government could not accept any arrangement that meant or would be generally interpreted in Indonesia to signify the return of the “old Republican gang” to power. That regime was one frankly based upon control by military force, and meant fear, intimidation, corruption and abuse to millions of Indonesians, both outside and within Republic areas. It was a Javanese regime, whose aims, as every informed person knew, were to play the dominating role in all Indonesia.
If that regime were to be installed once again, said Lovink, it would mean not only slap in the face of the Dutch, but the trooping back of all those who had played role in it before, and result in a virtual paralysis of any effort to establish democratic system in Indonesia generally. In Dutch judgment, which was based upon centuries in Indonesia, such step would be almost guarantee of future strife in Indonesia among its various constituent parts, and outright jeopardy of the law and order, peaceful economic recovery, and democratic development which Indonesia sorely needs, and which it is Dutch intent to assist to best of its ability.
Lovink said it was completely false to think that Republican Government as such had any claim to merit or consideration as governing body. Dutch had found on occupation that civil administration was either completely lacking, or corrupt or woefully weak. As symbol, it was force for chaos and not for order, reconstruction and peace. A new government, based on best elements of Republic, plus other well known figures, in their judgment, would find ready acceptance by people of Republic area and the cooperation of federalist areas, which, in Dutch opinion, were being almost completely disregarded in SC thinking.
Lovink indicated Dutch are seeking to secure the agreement of a group consisting of Hatta, Sjahrir, Leimena, Darmasetiawan, and one or two others, to undertake the task of working out basis for bringing the former Republican areas into the interim federal government.