856e.00/9–2748: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
niact
645. As suggested Embtel 642, September 26, the night has brought counsel. I requested interview with Lovink to emphasize once more importance which our government attaches to avoidance of any decision which would preclude resumption of negotiations with Republic. I learned that Foreign Office had received during night communication from Cochran on behalf of Hatta which latter indicated that Republicans would withhold until October 1 presentation their report to SC if Dutch would refrain until same date from ejecting families of Republican officials remaining in Batavia. While they insist that it is most important they control possibility for infiltration bringing sabotage and propaganda into Netherlands-controlled territory, they have made this concession.
On other two points, as to diplomatic immunity they are willing to grant such immunity to those actually engaged in GOC discussions when same have commenced. As to third point of control of hospitals, he referred to fact that this was a building conceded to Republicans for hospital facilities and Republican headquarters and arrangement could be made concerning this also which would be mutually satisfactory as soon as discussions have begun.
They will outline their position, document to reach Cochran before October 1 which will mention among other things question of international relations of new Republic of Indonesia. They will stand firm on the point that such international relations though left to new government must under no circumstances be of such nature as to make it impossible for union to make them conform to general international relations of Netherlands so that it shall not be possible to find United States of Indonesia on Russian and yet on side of western democracies. Any arrangement which contemplates this possibility will not be acceptable to Netherlands. Second point which they will stress in this document will be impossibility of elections held before re-establishment of law and order. Lovink states that Cabinet meeting this afternoon will definitely decide on this question and if discussions can begin on this basis that the three points mentioned (Deptel 463, September 231) can readily be compromised. He stated further that Stikker [Page 378] personally could have no part in any negotiations that did not provide for these two outstanding questions as this was sine qua non for continuing in the Cabinet and further Stikker’s party associates were strongly of same opinion. Latter for Department’s information.2
- See telegram 815, September 20, p. 357, and footnote 1.↩
- Telegrams 647, September 27, 9 p. m., and 652, September 29, 4 p. m., from The Hague, reported the Cabinet had acted and the Netherlands reply should reach Batavia on September 30. This was relayed to Batavia by the Department. (856e.00/9–2748; 501.BC Indonesia/9–2948)↩