501.BC Indonesia/4–1048: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
284. Gocus 223. US delegate and adviser gave lunch April 8 for Roem, Pringgo Digdo and Latuharhary at which some discussion took place on main issues confronting parties. We took occasion reiterate importance Republicans entry provincial [provisional] federal govt soonest, stating Dutch could scarcely be expected turn over sovereignty except to organized, operating federal govt with some background experience, that we believed Dutch interested developing cooperation between Republican and non-Republican Indonesians, and that Republican delay in entering govt could only delay creation USI. Roem stated Republicans insistent upon agreement on form USI and Union prior discussion interim arrangements in order reassure people with respect future and expressed concern over statement attributed Dutch Catholic Party leader that Union would amount super state. We replied Dutch firmly committed to vesting sovereignty in USI. Roem observed Netherlands delegation so far unable discuss form Union. We said we understood Vredenburch had only now received instructions this matter and should soon be prepared go ahead.
In discussion necessity expediting and confining work main committees to essentials, we touched on serious need reconstruction all Indonesia, which would require foreign economic assistance, noting that USI’s interest in economic rehabilitation Indonesia and observing that Republicans could benefit from any such assistance only if participating in provincial [provisional] federal govt.
[Page 144]At one point, Roem asked point blank if Dutch could be trusted. We reiterated we absolutely convinced Dutch meant carry out Renville Agreement, that we believed attitude top Dutch officials had undergone marked change in past months, and that recently Dutch had shown most encouraging optimism. Latuharhary said he also optimistic. Roem stated he personally satisfied Dutch intentions but task allaying suspicions on part peoples Republic would prove long and difficult. We inquired what steps Dutch might reasonably be asked take to convey reassurance their intention. Roem said Dutch should (1) remove present severe restrictions on freedom press, assembly and speech, (2) release Republican military prisoners, of which not one yet released since signing truce, and (3) release political prisoners, of whom Roem charged several thousands held by Dutch as potentially dangerous although not charged with any offense under penal code. Afraid that in discussing such matters with Dutch, Dutch invariably called attention evidence disregard of truce by Republican adherents, noting this connection captured message signed by TNI company commander in Netherlands area boasting of murder 2 unarmed Chinese, stating that in every Netherlands-occupied town “our men now busy as gangsters” and that “so far our deeds regarded by public as committed by looters”. We added we would be in much stronger position request Dutch take action requested by Roem on above matters and also agree enlargements demilitarized zones if Republicans would take strong, open stand against subversive activities its partisans.
In course talk, Pringgo Digdo referred Nieuws Gier report stating formation new state called “Sundakapaun” comprising Batavia area now under consideration in response local demand. Indonesians openly cynical.
Atmosphere lunch most cordial. At end, Pringgo Digdo expressed hope similar meeting could be arranged with Sukarno and Hatta next week.
Dept pass Hague.1
- This was done the same day.↩