Office of the Historian

501.BC Indonesia/2–2349: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State

secret   most immediate
The Hague, February 23, 1949—noon.

187. FonMin Stikker called me to his office 10:30 a. m m today where I was preceded by all Ambassadors WU countries and gave me following communication which Stikker cabled to Cochran together with personal message to reach him today.

Invitation to Soekarno for meeting here follows later. No release any this matter being made before Saturday next. Pending Dept’s instructions I have made no comment new proposals but believe this represents Stikker’s utmost effort conform SC resolution in face some recalcitrant elements of coalition Cabinet, Second Chamber, and Beel, and published public opinion.

Text follows:1

“After consultations with the HRC and in order to revise [realise] the plans announced in Parliament, the Netherlands Govt has reached certain conclusions concerning the policy it wishes to pursue with regard [Page 248] to Indonesia, with which the govt desires to acquaint the Govts of friendly powers:

1.
The Netherlands Govt is convinced that no essential differences exist between the Netherlands aims and the aims of the resolution adopted by the SC on January 28, 1949, which embodies the Netherlands program.
2.
The difference[s] of opinion relate to the best methods to arrive at the establishment of the US of Indonesia and to bridge the period which will necessarily elapse before the US of Indonesia and the Netherlands-Indonesia[n] union are established.
3.
The Netherland[s] Govt maintains the pledges made by its representative in the SC that the Netherlands would carry out the resolution to the extent to which it is compatible with the responsibility of the Netherlands, for the maintenance of freedom and order in Indonesia, meanwhile maintaining its fundamental objections to some parts of the resolution as formulated on its instructions by Dr. Van Royen.
4.
The Netherlands Govt is willing to cooperate with UNCI in the same manner as it has cooperated with the Commission of Good Offices to promote discussions to attain as quickly as possible the goal which is common to all parties.
5.
The Netherlands Govt is convinced that all parties concerned should first of all endeavour to resume discussions on the basis of mutual appreciation and confidence.
6.
In order to facilitate a prompt beginning of the discussions for the creation of the sovereign US of Indonesia, the Netherlands Govt has decided to lift the existing restrictions of the liberty of movement of the Republican] leaders, to consult with them concerning their residence and to invite them to participate in the discussions.
7.

The Netherlands Govt is convinced that the interests of all parties concerned require that they make sincere and strenuous efforts to reach a speedy and prompt solution of pending problems.

The Netherlands Govt is of the opinion that a firm basis for cooperation and mutual respect can only be completely established when sovereignty over Indonesia can be transferred by the Netherlands to a federal Indonesian Govt which is truly representative for the whole of Indonesia.

8.
On the basis of this conviction the Netherlands Govt has decided to take the initiative for the convocation at The Hague of a round table conference of all parties concerned with the Indonesian question. This conference will have as objective to devise the necessary arrangements for a considerably accelerated transfer of sovereignty, taking advantage of the basic principles on which agreement between parties exists, and also prepare arrangements for the intermediary period, including the creation of a federal interim govt. On the Indonesian side parties may decide to form a common all-Indonesian delegation or attend separately.
9.
The convocation of this conference, which should start on March 12 if possible, should be considered as an effort of the Netherlands Govt to contribute to the conclusion of a speedy and definite agreement. The Netherlands Govt is fully prepared to consider the merits of all proposals put forward by any of the parties during the [Page 249] conference and to determine in how far these are compatible with its responsibility.
10.
The Netherlands Govt feels that all efforts should be made to terminate the negotiations for an unconditional transfer of sovereignty on May 1st, 1949, and to further the ratification immediately afterwards. By that date agreement should be reached concerning the union-statute and the financial-economic and military agreements. The Netherlands Govt sincerely hopes to establish this future relationship on the basis of what both parties voluntarily will accept as joint interests and purposes. Inasmuch [insofar] as on certain points no agreement can be reached on the proposed date, special transitional arrangements will have to be made for such subjects as well as for the adaptation of the civil service, the withdrawal of military forces and other problems. These transitional arrangements will remain in force for a short time to be agreed upon by mutual consultation, after the transfer of sovereignty has taken place.
11.
The provisions to be made for the interim period, particularly the establishment of a federal interim govt, should be considered in their relation to the proposed accelerated transfer of sovereignty. The significance of these provisions will diminish inasmuch [insofar] as this transfer of sovereignty can be accelerated.
12.
The Netherlands Govt is fully aware of the seriousness of the situation. It makes an urgent appeal to the govts with which close cooperation exists in the international field to bring their influence to bear to promote the convening of the proposed conference, with a view to further a constructive solution of the conflict in Indonesia, which offers the best attainable guarantees for a development of the USI and for a durable voluntary cooperation between the Netherlands and Indonesia.”
Baruch
  1. Corrections based on text given the Department by the Netherlands Ambassador.↩