501.BC Indonesia/6–848: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
486. Gocus No. 301. 1. Hatta’s reply to Van Mook letter inviting him and advisers Batavia (Gocus 2981 paragraph 11) and to Netherlands June 3 aide-mémoire (paragraph 2) have been shown USDel but not yet sent.
2. Letter to Van Mook states that Hatta prepared go to Batavia any time for informal talks but he considers meeting as proposed by Van Mook would be equivalent setting up new delegations to negotiate matters now under discussion GOC auspices which he feels would handicap GOC and hinder fulfillment its task and that he believes GOC should now be given full opportunity make its “contribution to settlement dispute.”
3. GOC view is that Dutch endeavoring take dispute out of GOC hands and forestall GOC suggestions by creating conditions under which presentation such suggestions could be denounced as interference with and jeopardizing of high level discussions, particularly since fact such discussions being held would give lie to GOC position that negotiations at standstill. However, negotiations are at standstill and direct Netherlands-Republic discussions planned by Van Mook [Page 233] promise very little. This appears to be view Hatta who is opposed Yan Mook plan but hesitant send foregoing letter until assured GOC will in fact make contribution.
4. Republic reply Netherlands’ aide-mémoire substantially as follows:
- (a)
- If Suripno has established relations USSR, his action based general mandate by government December 1947, prior Renville agreement, to seek relations countries central and eastern Europe view threat Netherlands’ military action. It unfortunate Suripno did not take note acceptance Renville principles, which in Republic standing provide for maintenance status quo respect under political as well as military situation of Java, Madura and Sumatra.
- (b)
- No information available Republic showing initiative taken by Suripno, who has been recalled for consultation.
- (c)
- Although Republic does not yet know what meant by “agreement between Soviet and Republic” it cannot any event accept Netherlands’ viewpoint possibility breach of first of 6 principles. NethDel has always emphasized Renville principles not political agreement but merely agreed principles for basis on which such settlement to be reached. It is to reach such agreement Netherlands-Republic negotiations under auspices GOC now in progress.
- (d)
- Until agreement reached Republic not prepared bind self take action prejudicial its interests in connection its foreign relations or any respect present negotiations. Already agreed between parties no agreement any particular subject binding until overall agreement reached.
- (e)
- Republic nonetheless anxious avoid action which might affect atmosphere negotiations and for this reason reaffirms, as it has already informed both NethDel and GOC, there will be no extension scope its foreign relations this time.
- (f)
- Republic trusts Netherlands will feel this explanation satisfactory. Republic prepared give publicity all or part this aide-mémoire.2
5. Hatta, Roem and Leimena discussed above aide-mémoire with USDel during its preparation. Original text would have come closer satisfying Netherlands demands (which as stated paragraph 2 Gocus 298 were considerably more drastic than indicated in Hague’s 3373), but government decided there no hope getting it by left-wing opposition, and above text has yet be approved. We warned Roem that Netherlands might charge Republic in SC with failure comply Renville principles and advised him come closest possible satisfying Netherlands demands if only in order not undermine position GOC. We suggested he point out to left-wing groups that if GOC to be able [Page 234] make contribution, its position must not be weakened and that government could reconsider position in event GOC failure. We said we would inform him if and when we considered value GOC attend. (This connection, USDel believes if GOC prevented from suggesting principles for political settlement, fairness will demand we inform Republic avenue to settlement via GOC as good as closed and Republic would have no choice but come terms with Dutch or take chance last appeals.) We also pointed out we had informed our government our belief present Republic Government did not seek or welcome recognition by USSR and meant live up to its assurance not extend foreign relations, and we had every hope Republic would vindicate our confidence. We further took occasion express exceeding unfavorable view for pronouncement welcoming Republic’s “diplomatic victory” (Gocus 298 paragraph 6) and suggested Roem advise left-wing parties take second look at fate nations bordering Russia before hailing Soviet as defender countries seeking independence.
6. Aneta June 7 carried statement by “authoritative source” (usually NEI information service) disregarding declarations by Republic, to effect deadlock reached and aggravation situation to be expected, particularly declaration by Mr. Sudirman and Mr. Sukarno, and citing conciliatory declarations from Netherlands side, viz., (1) speech by Van Mook opening Bandung conference, (2) communiqué following Neher and Vredenburch call on Hatta and (3) forthcoming step by Van Mook to bring unfounded excitement to end. Typed copies of above distributed at Kaliurang. Effect on Republic likely be colored by fact 3 conciliatory phenomena cited mean to Republic simply (1) preparations for USI without Republic, (2) Netherlands insistence Republic accept Netherlands concept sovereignty and (3) attempt by Van Mook by-pass GOC. Signed Dubois.
Department pass Hague.4
- Telegram 467, June 6, p. 223.↩
- In a despatch dated June 8 from Kaliurang, Mr. duBois informed the Department (which received it on June 25) of an interview by Arnold Brackman of UP with Prime Minister Hatta and commented that this “represents the most comprehensive and succinct statement of the Republican position of major issues in dispute that the U.S. Delegation has seen.” (856e.01/6–848)↩
- Not printed.↩
- This was done on June 10.↩