501.BC Indonesia/9–1148: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
774. Gocus 371. GOC plane brought to Jogja forenoon September 10 Usgoc 1352 and USDel received it Kaliurang 1 p.m. USDel appreciates Department’s support plan set forth Gocus 366.3
Cochran and Scott proceeded 3 p. m. to Batavia. At 9:30 p. m., Batavia time, September 10, they presented text of plan to Netherlands delegate Schuurman with Riphagen present, under cover following memorandum:
“Strictly confidential.
- “1. This an informal and strictly confidential oral note setting forth a draft agreement for an overall political settlement which the ÜSDel hopes both parties may consider a suitable basis on which to resume negotiations under the auspices of the Committee of Good Offices.
- “2. This draft has not been previously discussed with anyone outside of the United States delegation.
- “3. At exactly 2130, Batavia time, September 10, it is being presented simultaneously to the Netherlands authorities and to the Republican authorities.
- “4. At exactly 10:30, Batavia time, September 11, it will be presented simultaneously to the representatives of Aus and the representative of Belgium on the Commission.
- “5. The purpose of presenting this oral note in this informal and strictly confidential manner is to see whether this draft can be regarded by both parties as a suitable basis for them to resume political negotiations looking toward an overall settlement.
- “6. After both parties have had an opportunity to study this draft, the USDel would appreciate hearing from them as to whether they consider it a suitable basis on which to resume negotiations under the auspices of the Committee of Good Offices.
- “7. After hearing the views of both parties as to whether this draft would form a suitable basis on which negotiations could be resumed, the USDel would be prepared to introduce in the Committee of Good Offices the text of this draft as a working paper.
- “8. The USDel requests both parties and the other representatives on the Committee of Good Offices to take all steps necessary to prevent disclosure at this time either of existence of this paper or of the details thereof.”
Lisle4 remained Kaliurang to present copy of plan at corresponding hour to Hatta or Sukarno or Roem at Jogja, with identical memorandum. [Page 334] At 10:30 a. m., Batavia time, September 11, Lisle was to present copy of plan and identical memorandum to Aus representative Critchley and Belgian representative Herremans in Kaliurang.
Draft was amended to include all Department’s suggestions except the first which pertained to deletion of first whereas clause. True reading of Usgoc 135 brought to Kaliurang was garbled so that everything omitted from word “acceleration” in 2nd paragraph through word “concept” at end of 6th paragraph. After receiving from Consul General in Batavia night of 10th true reading of portion of message omitted through garble, it was too late to get word to Lisle at Kaliurang. The text of agreement has therefore been submitted to both parties and to Aus representative and Belgian representative with first whereas clause included. USDel agrees, of course, that first whereas clause was unnecessary in light of preceding reference to Renville Agreement. We do not believe, however, that its inclusion in this instance need revive past difficulties.
There follows precise language used in those amendments where option was left to USDel:
[Here follow paragraphs on changes made.]
As Department anticipated (2nd paragraph Usgoc 135), NethDel regards presentation USDel’s draft as “surprising departure in procedure”. Schuurman and Riphagen pressed this point for about 2 hours. Schuurman had received some word from The Hague that American plan was to be presented, but expressed surprise that there had not been further exchange of views with NethDel regarding Netherlands draft prior to presentation USDel draft. He definitely feels our action now makes impossible NethDel submit any plan with hope of adoption. He asked how soon we expected reply from NethDel as to whether they consider US draft agreement suitable basis for resumption discussions between parties. We fixed no date and insisted this was no ultimatum. Schuurman obviously would prefer, if USDel plan is to be rejected by either party, that Republicans rather than Netherlands be the party that rejects it. Consequently, Department will appreciate need for reminding Netherlands Government of desirability of earliest possible decision in favor of plan. While we discussed procedural matters at length with Schuurman and Riphagen and indicated willingness to explain any points which they do not understand in text itself, we stressed that we could not attempt any “clarification, elucidation, or interpretation”. We stated that this must all be left to negotiation between the two parties once they agree to negotiate with USDel draft as basis.
Cochran and Scott plan return Jogja Monday and be available for any questioning by Republican officials and by Aus representative and [Page 335] Belgian representative. Consul General showed USDel his 7635 and Deptel 411.6 Livengood and Cochran agreed that approach to Republicans should be left to Cochran. Signed Cochran.