501.BC Indonesia/8–2648: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
728. Gocus 360. Since sending Gocus 358, August 22, have gone over with Schuurman draft of statement it was hoped Netherlands [Page 307] Government would issue by 24 August in explanation of submission draft bill to Bandung. Van Mook telegraphed text as finally amended by him to Hague for approval and instructions awaited. Schuurman informed us morning August 25 that hoped possible make statement soon and give GOC draft bill for communication Republic and latter’s comments thereon. Schuurman informed us Hague decided full text draft bill for interim period should not for present be published or discussed in whole publicly. Will Department please be accordingly guided on receipt text forwarded Butterworth by Cochran open mail 20th.
Schuurman reaffirmed promise made August 21 (Gocus 358) that Netherlands delegation would shortly present us with its views as to points to be included in negotiations on phase “B” with Republic and indicated a number of people Batavia and Hague working thereon.
Department will have seen from USDel and Mayer reports Indo political situation deteriorating sharply past few weeks. Accumulation incidents including revelations regarding opium traffic, fatal shootings at Republic house Batavia; NEI official decision take over certain Republic houses Batavia and require all Republic officials move from Netherlands controlled to Republic controlled territory culminating in announced decision Netherlands Government to proceed with its plan for interim period whether or not satisfactory agreement reached with Republic, convinces us plan for political settlement between Netherlands and Republic should be formulated and presented through GOC to both parties within next 3 to 4 weeks considering pressures now exerted on it, including return of Suripno to Jojga accompanied by Moscow-trained Moeso, we doubt present Republic Government can be expected to last more than few weeks unless presented with opportunity resume negotiations with Dutch on basis Renville principles. Some doubt that present Republic Government can remain in power even if such opportunity offered. Any successor government would certainly be leftist.
According Antara report appearing in Aneta bulletin, Republic central trade union (SOBSI) in statement issued August 23 advocates cancellation of Renville and Linggadjati Agreements. Statement also rejects plan presented in US-Austr[al]ian working paper, advocates resumption negotiations on basis “equality”, prompt exchange of consular representatives with Soviet Union, demands resignation present cabinet to be replaced with national cabinet and intensification of preparation for scorched earth tactics.
Schuurman agreed period short wherein any possibility remains for GOC advance plan for overall settlement with chance acceptance by both parties. He expressed opinion that although views Republic [Page 308] regarding present draft bill for interim period would be sought, no chance of Republic entering interim government at this time. He identified present draft as corresponding to phase “B” of interim period envisaged by Blom in conversation Washington. He agreed only chance getting Republic enter interim government would be at beginning phase “B” as envisaged by Blom. He could contemplate an agreement being signed about first October wherein Republic would undertake interim government at time to be specified in agreement and which would signalize beginning phase “B”. He recognized field of negotiations with Republic reduced by procedure followed with respect to draft bill leaving question principally that of substantive content of phase “B”, which phase could only begin with institution of elected government. Neher and Schuurman do not expect draft bill for interim period to be passed before October.
Schuurman appreciates resumption any negotiations with Republic becomes increasingly difficult with passage of time and indicated next few weeks might bring “nastier surprise” than we have yet experienced. He may have meant that Netherlands Government contemplates taking yet unannounced measures which would reduce further possibility of resuming negotiations.
USDel contemplates tentatively following procedure set forth in detail below in working toward draft agreement. This procedure involves no intention forestall any Netherlands–Republic plan for negotiations.
- 1.
- USDel will prepare paper in form of draft agreement rather than preliminary paper containing points to be reformulated into draft agreement.
- 2.
- Initial status of USDel’s paper will be “oral note” in accordance memorandum from Netherlands Embassy to Department July 22.
- 3.
-
USDel will telegraph text
its paper to Department for comments on substance. Substance
will initially take into account[:]
- (a).
- USDel’s present views as to potentially acceptable agreement within framework Department’s comments USDel. In accordance with Netherlands Embassy memorandum July 22, will discuss draft with Netherlands delegation. Question whether paper is to be presented to GOC as US working paper or as Netherlands delegation working paper will be determined only after it is known whether changes suggested by Netherlands delegation at this stage are either of such importance as to alter entirely character draft or are beyond scope of Renville principles. Method of consulting Republic’s views at this stage would necessarily be dependent on circumstances of paper’s presentation as a Dutch or as Renville principle;
- (b).
- Legal framework of Netherlands draft bill for interim period with attempt develop suggestions for additional legislation [Page 309] and procedures that will permit implementation on Renville principles;
- (c).
- Whatever material is furnished USDel by Netherlands delegation or Republic delegation during course of drafting;
- (d).
- US–Australian working paper as revised by Department.
- 4.
- Neither paper itself nor fact paper is being drafted will be discussed with anyone outside USDel until Department has opportunity to comment on substance thereof to USDel.
- 5.
- After receipt an American plan. Signed Cochran.