501.BC Indonesia/12–2747: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 85
confidential
Batavia, December
27, 1947—1 p.m.
572. From Graham No. 75.
- 1.
- GOC has adopted an overall program for implementation ceasefire and settlement political dispute. Program, which is lengthy, consists basic statement and two annexes.
- 2.
- Basic statement reviews efforts GOC bring parties together in implementation SC resolution, notes parties themselves must bear responsibility for decisions they have made or failed make, warns parties against further delay and calls upon them to: (a) sign and put in effect immediately measures contained in this program for implementing cease-fire together with those already presented to SCINRS by GOC (b) issue precise orders calling for cessation any activities or incitement activities which contravene SC resolution November 1 and take appropriate measures safeguard life and property, utilizing all means dissemination such orders; (c) conclude truce agreement carrying out third paragraph November 1 resolution accepting proposals previously submitted by GOC and annex one of this [Page 1095] statement: also reexamine proposals they themselves submitted with view achieving compromise; (d) issue instructions their troops in territory other party regarding measures for their movement to own territory, employing GOC military observers if desired in order expedite movements.
- 3.
- Basic statement expresses hope both foregoing agreements may be accomplished fact before one month. It notes that parties have stated they will be bound by principles underlying Linggadjati, which GOC believes to be IRCA (independence for Indo peoples). Cooperation between peoples Netherlands and Indos (c) sovereign staff on federal basis under constitution to be arrived at by democratic process, and (d) Union of USI with Kingdom Netherlands under crown. Statement calls on parties submit concrete elaboration these principles endeavoring meet each other’s views half way.
- 4.
- Annex 1 recommends that: (a) stand fast and cease-fire orders be issued immediately with application troops both parties along Van Mook lines; (b) for time being demilitarized zone be established in general conformity Van Mook lines with GOC reserving attitude regarding delineation such zones western Java until military observers have had opportunity make inquiries this area; (c) rights, claims, position parties under SC resolution not be prejudiced by establishment demilitarized zones; (d) military observers be at disposal parties initially to assume responsibility determining whether any incident requires enquiry by higher authorities either party; (e) pending political settlement, responsibility for maintenance law and order in zones to remain vested in civil police of parties (not excluding temporary use military personnel in capacity police under civil control) with military observers to be available to serve in advisory or other proper capacity; (f) trade and intercourse be permitted as far as possible and any necessary restrictions be agreed on by both parties; (g) upon acceptance foregoing, military observers to determine whether Republic elements still offering resistance behind Netherlands forward position; (h) forces one party to be withdrawn with arms from territory on other party’s side demilitarized zone under observation military observers with exception indicated (b) above.
- 5.
- Annex 2 offers following principles for acceptance parties as basis reaching political settlement: (a) pending political settlement, cessation by parties all activities relating organization states or determination political relationships to USI of territories Java, Madura, Sumatra which comprise area involved Netherlands Republic dispute; (b) upon signing political agreement, “civil administrations which were functioning on July 20 to be restored” and Netherlands armed forces be withdrawn to territories occupied by them on July 20; [Page 1096] (c) upon signing political agreement provision be made for gradual reduction armed forces both sides; (d) after signing agreement, free economic activity, trade, transportation and communications be completely restored; (e) uncoerced and free discussion vital issues to proceed period six months to year, after which “free elections will be called for self determination by the people of their political relationships to Republic and USI”; (f) constitutional convention be chosen according democratic procedure to draft constitution for USI; (g) UN agency be asked observe conditions during this period and final formation USI.
- 6.
- Statement notes GOC opinion that all parts constitute integrated whole essential to lasting settlement and expresses hope parties reply will provide favorable conclusion for GOC report to SC.
- 7.
- Basic statement was initiated by Van Zeeland, annex 1 by Critchley86 and annex 2 by Graham. Graham emphasizes his part was based USDel statement of conclusions re SC’s resolution (Consulate’s despatch 380, December 387) and (mytel 74, December 2388) and was strongly supported by Critchley and Van Zeeland.
- 8.
- Redraft of statement and both annexes, prepared within USDel in effort bring more coherence and organization into document, was rejected by Van Zeeland without explanation and by Critchley without being read. Critchley apparently feared lose Van Zeeland’s acceptance original document. Document was touched up and adopted by GOC in spirit urgency December 25 and given parties next day.
- Sjarifuddin had been given preliminary draft on eve his departure Djocja December 24. This draft uses “plebiscites” place “free elections” paragraph 5 (e) above. Graham previously indicated feel his belief importance plebiscites.
- 9.
- While present GOC intention is make full report to SC by airmail some time after receipt replies parties, exchange of statements is at present on informal level. This connection USDel and BelDel have frustrated efforts Critchley (who under instructions) send telegraphic report SC before December 30. [Graham.]
Livengood