501.BC Indonesia/2–449: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
144. Gocus 577.
- 1.
- Following information received from Supomo today in basis trip
to Bangka yesterday (Gocus
574,2 paragraph 3).
- a.
- Hatta had not received copy SC resolution 28 January. (This given Netherlands delegation eve 29 January with request it be sent Hatta).
- b.
- Hatta and other Bangka exiles not receiving replies to letters they send their families.
- c.
- Supomo drafted reply to BFO telegram for Hatta to send. Hatta
accepted this completely and after translating into
Dutch will send it BFO.
Should be received within day or so. Letters of Beel
referred to were quoted in BFO telegram to Hatta. There follows rough
translation made orally by Supomo from Indonesian:
“Netherlands Government, according to Beel letter, is not prepared to consider Sukarno and other Republic leaders as President and members Government of Republic Indonesia. According to that letter they would be only considered as governmental personalities of a republic whose status and appearance will be dependent upon people’s will so they would be only considered as government personalities of a state which does not yet exist. Resolution of SC 28 January calls for restoration authority of Government of Republic Indonesia. So it must be stated Netherlands Government will not comply with that point of resolution.
[Page 205]Furthermore, according to Beel letter, Government of Indonesia is not prepared to release Sukarno and other Republic leaders unconditionally because problem of general freedom of movement of those leaders will be considered if talks between BFO and Republic leaders could lead to formation in short time of Federal Interim Government. It must be noted that also this viewpoint of Government of Indonesia is not in accordance with resolution of SC that demands immediate and unconditional release all political prisoners arrested since 18 Dec, 1948. It needs no argument that Hatta and other Republic leaders, in light of 2 letters mentioned above, cannot comply with invitation of BFO to enter into discussions with them. Also they would like to do it the less now that SC and also Asiatic Conference in New Delhi—thus greatest part of mankind—have made release of political leaders essential condition for solution of Indonesian problem.
Solution of Indonesian problem would be handled in best and soonest way if Netherlands Government as well as Republic Government declare explicitly acceptance of resolution of SC. Republic Government would be able do it only when it is enabled assemble. After this declaration a conference would be held within shortest possible time between representatives of Netherlands Government and BFO and representatives of Republic of Indonesia. In that conference all problems could be discussed to which, inter alia, belong formation of Federal Interim Government on March 15, implementation of resolution of SC so far as it concerns stopping of military operations, restoration of Republic and return of Republic Government to Jogja.
Finally, it must be noted that also Republic Government strives for setting up Republic of USI in which Republic of Indonesia in principle will be no more and no less than member state with equal status as other member states.”
- 2.
- Agenda today’s meeting BFO lists as first item “HRC’s request to BFO to consider SC resolution”. Republicans state Netherlands putting every pressure on BFO members to condemn SC resolution by assuring them it impracticable and will never be carried out. Anak Agung continuing fight to have BFO either endorse resolution or postpone action.
- 3.
- Radio Batavia this morning announced Washington sources reveal Cochran will come Indonesia after consultations with Spaak, Brussels, and Drees, Hague. States original plans stop Australia cancelled. Schuurman revealed last night Cochran will arrive about Tuesday and promised keep USDel informed. Signed Lisle.