501.BC Indonesia/9–2148: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
us urgent
[Received September 21—1:26 p. m.]
816. Gocus 385. Pringgo Digdo visited USDel 2 a. m. today and stated Cabinet approved last night acceptance USDel draft as basis negotiations. USDel received 8 a. m. today letter dated Kaliurang September 20 addressed Cochran signed Roem. Text follows:
“Acknowledging receipt of your oral note setting forth the draft agreements submitted by the USDel on 10 September 19482 I have the honor to inform you as follows:
As stated sub 1 in your oral note the matter is as yet in an informal and strictly confidential stage. The answer given here on instruction, of my government can therefore have but the same informal and confidential character of an oral note.
The instruction of my government is for my delegation to accept the draft agreement for an over-all political settlement of the USDel as a basis for the resumption of political discussions between the parties under the auspices of the Committee of Good Offices, provided it is clearly understood:
- (1)
- That the Republic government hereby makes no commitment at this time in respect of the underlying principles or the substances of the proposals, either as a whole or in part.
- (2)
- That the Republic Government reserves its right to take up any position in the course of the discussions on the above mentioned proposals which it may find desirable.”
USDel simultaneously received letters similarly dated and signed as follows:
“I have the honor to refer to my letter of 20 September 1948 number 19/K/IV accepting the draft agreement therein mentioned as a basis on which to resume negotiations under the auspices of the Committee of Good Offices.
[Page 360]On the further question of the actual resumption of negotiations the Republic Government maintains with regard to the following questions:
- (a)
- Return to the Republic Government of its premises at 56 Pegangsaan East, Djakarta;
- (b)
- Immunity of members and personnel of the Republic delegation when in Netherlands controlled territory;
- (c)
- Action of the Netherlands Indies authorities in requesting the removal from Djakarta of Republic officials and their families, the position as stated in my cablegram to the Committee of Good Offices of 25 August 1948 and my letters of 28 August 1948 number 615, 7 September 1948 number 3/K/IV, 9 September 1948 number 11/K/IV and of 19 September 1948 number 18/K/IV.
I should also draw your attention to the fact that the full implementation of the truce agreement is necessary, if negotiations are to be resumed in the right atmosphere.”
Under cover letter dated September 21, USDel forwarding copies above two letters to Herremans and Critchley for their confidential information. After return to Batavia night September 22, USDel will forward copies to Netherlands delegation. Signed Cochran.