501.BC Indonesia/2–1349: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
164. Gocus 587. UNCFI visited Bangka exiles yesterday. Sukarno permitted come Pangkalpinang from Muntok under precautions designed prevent demonstrations. According to Repubs, these involved concentration police of five towns barring access to route to townspeople, order no [all?] inhabitants remain inside houses. UNCFI and Repub leaders held general discussion resolution 28 January covering meaning and problems involved. Following points emphasized by Repub leaders:
- 1.
- Delay acceptance resolution by Netherlands daily increasing bloodshed and difficulties ultimate pacification. UNCFI explained its policy to treat this as matter highest urgency.
- 2.
- Leaders willing enter political discussions with BFO only if all conditions met and then in presence UNCFI.
- 3.
- Agreement receive BFO contact committee merely to gain information and preliminary orientation and in no sense involves entering negotiations. Moreover, Sukarno announced he was replying to Hamid’s request that contact committee come Bangka 15 February by suggesting Committee come two days after next visit Bangka of UNCFI including Cochran. USRep pointed out such visit probably could not be made before 17. Repubs put postponement on ground [Page 228] desirability receiving latest news from Washington and Hague before meeting. Actually USRep understands this part of Repub strategy to require Netherlands acceptance resolution before entering any significant talks and at same time avoid rejecting squarely BFO overtures.
- 4.
- All Repubs stressed need acceptance all parts resolution by Netherlands including return released leaders to administration Jogja as full government in command all security forces there. As practical procedure, suggested preparations be made their behalf by Sultan Jogja several days before their return. Emphasized need restoration to Repubs about same time of Bukkitinggi, looked upon as second Repub capital. Hatta privately recognized tremendous problem involved inducing guerrillas cease hostilities and felt only hope was to (a) make clear Repub was real, not puppet, government and (b) permit guerrilla concentration in areas fully under Repub administration. This complicated, he pointed out, by fact Repub forces have now invaded large areas west and east Java which essentially under their control.
- 5.
- Repubs have seen Beel–East Indo plan eliminating interim period. Roem privately commented that information thus far available plan seems to him nothing but play on words involving “transfer sovereignty” before May but reserving to Netherlands Government after such transfer all powers previously claimed by it for interim period.
- 6.
- Hatta gave us copy statement issued by him yesterday Newsweek correspondent. Denounces “new plan” as trick designed deceive Indos and UN. States among Federalists many leaders who share Repub determination win real freedom and will not be deceived by such tricks.
Glad to answer questions of BFO group but these talks cannot be used by Netherlands to evade SC resolution. Repubs accept SC resolution and will do nothing help Netherlands evade their responsibility under it. Signed Lisle.
- Repeated in telegram 125, February 15, 7 p. m., to The Hague.↩