501.BC Indonesia/1–2848: Telegram

The Consul General at Batavia ( Livengood ) to the Secretary of State

secret

83. Graham No. 120. Deptel 31, January 26.1 Erroneous press report alleging Graham at Kaliurang meeting January 13, assured Republic it would have right to its own army, finances and foreign relations may be based (if based on anything) on following remarks concerning 6 principles:

1.
In course meeting, Graham stated, “You note that Netherlands says one thing about your status and you say another. We don’t have powers of arbitration as between the two claims. Whatever you are now, you are. Whatever it is, is regardless of these points. You might have in the political discussions negotiations with Netherlands Government about that”.
2.
At end meeting, Roem inquired whether in view GOC, “If Republic in interim period would continue her present foreign relations, would it not be a contravention of these principles?” Kirby made ill-advised reply that “again I express my opinion and my colleagues are free to express agreement or dissent, there is nothing in the acceptance of these principles which would prevent Republic from carry on until something to contrary is agreed between parties”. Van Zeeland added, “I feel rather embarrassed because actually we did not go into consideration this definite matter. We concentrated our attention upon principles for future. What I wanted to concur in is that it is our intention to show why Article 1 does not touch present status Republic, whatever it may be”. Graham then said, “yes, that is right”.

Above quotes from stenographic notes, which just transcribed. Summary record which now corrected, originally rendered Graham’s last remark as “Dr. Graham agreed with Justice Kirby and Mr. Van Zeeland”; he had no intention agreeing Kirby’s remark.

Conceivably press report may have been based statement by Graham January 12 GOC meeting, at which neither party present, to effect that political principles formulated at present included all points in Linggadjati except organs of Netherlands-Indonesian Union, foreign relations, finance and internal security.

Livengood
  1. Not printed.