501.BC Indonesia/3–1049: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
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246. Gocus 624. Schuurman came Wednesday night. Said he hoped delay opening SC Indonesia meeting, indicated outside negotiations in progress toward some compromise on Jogja restoration. In circumstances suggested I should not encourage Republicans when in Bangka to expect SC support them 100 percent on Jogja. I said interested getting parties into conference soonest.
UNCFI visited Republican leaders Bangka informally today. Republicans unhappy over Netherlands reluctance in official statements [Page 312] and invitation to round table well as through Gieben and Koets to give specific information on what conference is to do, conditions as to transfer sovereignty, likely agenda rules procedure, etc.
Sukarno said some confusion exists following his answer to invitation. Said his letter based solely on invitation as received and as clarified by Gieben and Koets. Said it could not possibly take into consideration published reports of questions answered by Beel at press conference, etc. Said invitation so vague Republicans feel they should not bound by commitments before entering conference. Specifically they take exception to Beel attitude that constitution of two parties Netherlands and Republic must be in conformity with statute union. Republicans realize Netherlands Constitution already amended to envisage union statute. They are willing have general concepts of union statute included in political agreement Insist, however, that under Netherlands plan Republican Constituent Assembly can meet and adopt constitution only after signing agreement for transfer sovereignty including union statute. They want no mention of union statute in Republic constitution but union agreed upon through treaty.
While Republicans insist upon as unconditional and early transfer sovereignty as possible, they realize agreement toward this end will involve certain conditions which cannot be fulfilled until after transfer date, such as disposition Netherlands troops, etc. Consequently they argue UNCFI should remain on scene until sovereignty transfer agreement actually implemented.
Republicans hold firm to SC resolution and their rights thereunder. Look upon conference as simply medium for discussing earlier transfer sovereignty than anticipated in SC resolution and for getting lined up for bilateral political agreement with Netherlands under UNCFI auspices. They hope round table conference will be successful in developing form of agreement along pattern suitable to other Indonesian states and desire exchange views and cooperate toward this end. They will hold out, however, for agreement under UNCFI auspices.
At our general discussion Roem and Hadji Salim spoke of various desires on their part which they would like to see made conditions to acceptance invitation, such as meeting place other than Hague, chairmanship to rotate, conference to be under UNCFI auspices, etc. They also asked that UNCFI endeavor soonest get Sultan Jogja and two Republic Cabinet members still in Jogja well as perhaps some emergency government people to come Bangka to discuss plans. Republicans continued adamant on restoration Jogja, Sukarno saying guerrillas have let him know they will heed his appeals only when his voice comes from Jogja. Speaking to Sukarno alone afterwards, I advised him await Netherlands decision on Jogja before asking UNCFI help draw [Page 313] in his leaders. I said if and when favorable decision announced, UNCFI would be glad help assemble everyone. I said he would weaken his own position well as his own arguments in favor restoration Jogja if he made proposed request this time when decision surely imminent.
In answer my queries of Sukarno re restoration Jogja, he assured me if Sultan authorized pave way it can be accomplished smoothly. Said if he and Sultan both there and permitted reasonable number civil and military police there will not be any chaos Netherlands predict or even any minor incidents to cause concern. He would expect to issue ceasefire order and accept go round table within possibly one week after return Jogja if this arranged in accordance his idea. Said withdrawal authority delegated emergency government will be prompt and simple. Expects receive support of 90 to 95 percent his old Republican followers if returned Jogja and Republic given fair deal by Netherlands. Among nonconformants he included Tan Malakka.
Sukarno assured me he would consider some of his assistants’ suggestions only “tertiary” in importance and would not delay conference. I said it would be UNCFI duty criticize Republic if latter showed any such tendency after Jogja matter adjusted. Sukarno discussed possible Republic representation at round table conference with me. He spoke of sending best men he has. I favored both Sukarno and Hatta going. He said he feared necessary one of them, perhaps himself, remain Jogja to work toward pacification, etc. I said absolutely essential either he or Hatta be at conference at all times, if not simultaneously. He thought he would send Hatta for first three weeks and then perhaps relieve him personally for awhile. I reminded him Netherlands contemplates using entire Cabinet as conference delegation so his representatives should be strong as possible. I mentioned advantage having conference Hague where all Netherlands Cabinet on hand and no necessity representatives refer matters back for consideration.
Republicans feel they have made progress with BFO and can work in harmony with them for a nationalist Indonesia if Netherlands do not interfere. To Sukarno I opposed idea advanced by Herremans [that] Sukarno seek see Beel Batavia. I said let matters proceed formally for present. I discouraged Hatta from idea moving residence Republic leaders from Bangka to Atjeh, again saying wait Jogja development since Atjeh arrangement would not be considered substitute for restoration.
BFO meeting scheduled Batavia tonight postponed until Friday. Consequently visit Bangka by BFO members originally scheduled Friday cancelled. Signed Cochran.
- Repeated in telegram 209, March 11, 8 p. m., to The Hague, and as 287 to Brussels↩