501.BC Indonesia/3–1848: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
221. Gocus No. 186. At meeting of Steering Committee March 16 Netherlands delegation introduced two carefully reasoned working papers which were referred to Political Committee for discussion.
First working paper is survey of basic points which Netherlands delegation considers should be included in agreement. It anticipates further working papers which will set forth in detail Netherlands position on these basic points. Second working paper does this with respect to federal structure of USI.
Since survey paper presents first comprehensive and formal statement Netherlands views re nature entire settlement it is set out fully below.
Survey begins with statement that object of Netherlands Government is to promote settlement of dispute at earliest possible date, that Netherlands Government stands by principles Linggadjati as formulated 14 points by Ministry Overseas Territories and by 18 principles adopted in January 1948 as basis for settlement. This is followed by statement that settlement should contain “project for merging Republic Government into provisional federal government” and that ultimate object should be agreement on “essentials” between Netherlands Government and Republic with respect to, (1) structure of union, (2) structure of USI, including relation of member states to each other and to federal government of USI, (3) within framework of union, financial and economic relations between Netherlands and USI and cooperation between Netherlands and USI re defense.
Survey then elaborates on foregoing “essentials” as follows:
- (1)
- Since aim of agreement should be to incorporate Republic Government and its organs in provisional federal government and [Page 121] its organs, “effectuation should be ensured of first of six additional principles, according to which sovereignty throughout, and therefore ultimate responsibility for, Netherlands Indies remain vested Netherlands Government during interim period, i.e., until simultaneous establishment Netherlands-Indies union and USI.”
- (2)
- This implies, subject further elaboration of modus quo, (a) transference of governmental functions to be exercised by Netherlands as sovereign authority during interim period, (b) transference of governmental functions that do not appertain to member states, (c) restoration rights belonging to Netherlands Indies as whole or to third parties. This connection, Netherlands Government fully prepared cooperate in finding ways and means solving each of above cases in mutual consultation and with assistance GOC.
- (3)
- Under terms first of additional 6 principles, it agreed sovereignty throughout Netherlands Indies, and shall remain with Netherlands until, after stated interval, Netherlands transfers its sovereignty to USI. It also agreed that status of Republic will be that of state within USI. Follows from this that Republic is obligated accept Netherlands sovereignty until that sovereignty transferred to USI and thereafter Republic will be obligated accept sovereignty of USI. Clear that under first of 6 additional principles Republic cannot legitimately conduct foreign relations. Under most liberal applications this principle, relations with foreign powers entertained by Republic must be adapted to legitimate conduct foreign relations by sovereign authority over Netherlands Indies. Adaptation should be completed at least by time of signing political agreement. Netherlands delegation will be pleased give outline of manner in which during interim period officials at present serving Republic might be active in field of foreign relations of sovereign authority.
- (4)
- Adaptation of foreign relations of Republic, to political order to be prevalent in Indonesia in interim period shall not affect relations existing between Republic and SC.
- (5)
- View fact that status Republic will be that of one of member states USI, further proposals re defence and internal security will be submitted to GOC and Indonesian delegation.
- (6)
- Desirable in time to discuss future status autonomous rulers in view special relations existing between Crown and these rulers.
- (7)
- In mutual consultation provision to be made for free expression opinion in whole of Java, Madura, Sumatra envisaged in second and sixth of twelve principles. Necessary complement of free expression opinion is realization of free traffic of persons in islands mentioned by time of signing agreement. This connection 10th and 11th of 12 principles should also be borne in mind. Free expression opinion will further be condition for ascertaining will of people as basis for determining relations of populations of various territories to USI; on these relations populations of Java, Sumatra, Madura to decide not less than 6 months and not more than 1 year after agreement has been reached between Netherlands and Republic Governments. View of 2nd, 3rd and 6th of 12 principles, it necessary that population of Java, Sumatra, Madura decide on this relationship in complete freedom. Pursuant to 6th of 12 and 4th of 6 additional principles, this decision will be ascertained either by free elections, plebiscite or other manner. [Page 122] As matter of course, complete effectuation of truce must be assured beforehand, with particular attention to Article 7 A and W of truce agreement.
Netherlands delegation showed USDel copies working papers before submitting them to Steering Committees. Point (2) (a) in preceding paragraph originally read as follows: “relinquishment of powers exercised in encroachment of Netherlands sovereignty”. Point (3) originally read in part as follows: “terms (of point 1) imply among other things that relations with foreign powers entertained by Republic Government shall be abolished, leastwise that such relations shall have been abolished by time of signing of agreement between Netherlands delegation and Indonesian delegation”. USDel suggested and Netherlands delegation accepted final wording as set forth preceding paragraph.
Department please pass Hague.1
- This was done the same day.↩