501.BC Indonesia/2–2649: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
205. Gocus 605. Following letter dated February 26 addressed Chairman UNCFI signed Beel handed Herremans by Schuurman 5 p. m. today:
“Netherlands Government has decided take initiative to convene soon as possible round table conference which should start on March 12 at Hague.
To this conference all parties concerned with Indonesian question will be invited. It is intention government to consider at conference in particular conditions and modalities by which accelerated transfer sovereignty over Indonesia by Netherlands to representative Federal Indonesian Government will take place. As consequence this proposed transfer sovereignty, consultations will be necessary concerning provisions for interim period, including institution of Federal Interim Government.
Netherlands Government has been guided by conception that lasting solution of pending problems cannot be arrived at until sovereignty has actually been transferred. Experience has shown that arrangements for rather prolonged interim period lead to insoluble differences opinion.
Therefore, Netherlands Government have invited President of Republic and Chairman BFO to appoint delegations for this conference. Your commission will find enclosed copies these invitations to which I beg to refer.
Moreover, it is intended that also representatives of Provisional Federal Government and of minorities of population will take part in this conference.
Netherlands Government have requested me inform your commission that they will highly appreciate it if your commission would attend this conference so that it can render assistance to achieve positive results.”
Following translation letter addressed Sukarno Feb. 26 as provided by Schuurman to Herremans 5 p. m. today:
“Prompted by conviction that highest interests of Indonesia demand that all concerned should contribute to fullest measure their ability to speedy and complete solution of pending problems, Netherlands Government has again considered way in which this goal can soonest be attained.
It is of opinion that situation should be created soon as possible in which conflict and mistrust of today give way to mutual cooperation and appreciation. Such a state of affairs would in opinion of Netherlands Government not fully be reached until sovereignty has been transferred by Netherlands to a Federal Government representative of whole of Indonesia.
Netherlands Government is convinced that this situation which resolution of Security Council of January 28 has set as goal to be [Page 269] reached by July 1950 at latest, can be created at considerably earlier moment by sincere and energetic cooperation all interested parties.
In view this Netherlands Government has conceived idea take initiative for round table conference of all parties concerned in Indonesian question which could commence at Hague soon as possible preferably March 12. At conference conditions and modalities will have to be discussed under which aforementioned accelerated transfer sovereignty can be effected as well as provisions for intermediary period including institution of Federal Interim Government.
Netherlands Government is prepared examine at conference on its merits every proposed solution submitted by one of parties in free consultation with these parties and examine to what extent these proposed solutions are compatible with its responsibility.
Consequently I have honour on behalf Government of Netherlands to invite Your Excellency to appoint delegation to participate in this conference.
I wish add that similar invitation has been sent to Chairman Assembly for federal consultation requesting his cooperation for appointment of delegations for territories affiliated to BFO.
Furthermore Netherlands Government will invite to conference representative of Provisional Federal Government and of minorities.
Finally I inform Your Excellency that UNCFI has been invited attend conference in order assist parties.”
Translation text invitation addressed Chairman BFO likewise provided. Text identical with Sukarno letter except sixth and seventh paragraphs BFO letter read as follows: “In view above I have honor at request Netherlands Government to invite Your Highness make necessary arrangements so that through intermediary of BFO member states represented in this body send delegations to above-mentioned conference.
I may, further point out that President of Republic has also been invited appoint delegation. Netherlands Government will also invite representatives of Provisional Federal Government and of minorities to attend conference.” Signed Cochran.