501.BC Indonesia/3–149: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
213. Gocus 611. Received Anak Agung, Prime Minister East Indonesia. Referring to BFO’s acceptance invitation (Gocus 6102), he said acceptance was on basis Netherlands invitation February 26 which involves participation UNCFI and liberation Republic leaders. Speaking for East Indonesia, he said his government would definitely refuse participate conference if UNCFI not accepting and he believes whole BFO group would likewise refuse. BFO contact committee going Bangka tomorrow, returning Thursday and will try encourage Republicans find compomise enabling them accept. He feels Indonesians should present solid front Hague, forcing Netherlands keep promise early transfer sovereignty and pressing for most advantageous agreement. Is Anak’s opinion [that] Roem telegram (Gocus 6093) not rejection but way still open for Republic acceptance.
Sudjono sent back personal letter from Bangka this afternoon stating his group remaining until Thursday to participate in Republic talks with BFO.
UNCFI today completed unanimous report to SC, being telegraphed [Page 282] Lake Success tonight and thence available Department.4 Following paragraphs constitute conclusion thereto:
- “25. UNCFI is obliged report that as of 1 March there has been failure parties to Indonesian question reach agreement on establishment of interim federal government. This situation results from failure Netherlands Government accept procedure of resolution of 28 January and not from mere difference of viewpoint on details of government structure and functions. If latter were case, UNCFI would be prepared recommend structure for interim federal government. Resolution contemplates that establishment of interim federal government will be product of negotiations between parties. That government, if it is to be effective one, must reflect interchange ideas both parties, give and take of bona fide negotiations.
- “26. There have been no negotiations under resolution between Netherlands Government and Republic. UNCFI has performed function of reporting assigned it by resolution of 28 January in spite of difficulties described in this report. In exercise this function it has had contact with Netherlands delegation. UNCFI has visited Republic leaders informally at Bangka. They have had informal contact with members Republic delegation who are resident Batavia. Individual members UNCFI occasionally have informal contact with members BFO. There has not however been opportunity for UNCFI to function helpfully in manner envisaged by resolution, except to limited extent therein described.
- “27. UNCFI itself has not authority under terms resolution 28 January to accept invitation received by it to attend ‘roundtable conference’ at Hague. Procedures to be adopted preliminary to transfer, sovereignty, irrespective of ultimate objective Netherlands proposals announced 26 February, are not those contemplated by resolution. There is no indication in announcements or in invitation to UNCFI that role which it is being asked assume is that which it is authorized perform under resolution 28 January. UNCFI views invitation and related documents therefore as comprising counterproposal or substitute for provisions 28 January resolution. UNCFI consequently refers this counter-proposal to SC for latter’s consideration with request that UNCFI be instructed as to what its position should be toward invitation under resolution.
- “28. UNCFI will forward to SC promptly any further information that may become known to it with respect to suggested roundtable conference or any other proposals that may be advanced. UNCFI has interpreted its duty to be that of assisting with implementation of SC’s resolution and of reporting facts pertinent to situation which this resolution was intended resolve. It will not interfere with any efforts of parties to arrive freely at agreements. It is available to all parties for consultation. At same time UNCFI regrets that it has not been possible proceed with implementation of resolution. UNCFI is conscious of progressive deterioration of situation in Indonesia and of augmented danger to world stability which must result”.
Schuurman phoned 7 p. m., said Koets returned from Bangka this evening. After discussion with Beel, decided no further documentation to submit UNCFI for inclusion today’s report. Schuurman told me confidentially Koets received in friendly atmopshere by Republicans who asked many questions yesterday and requested him remain today. Some questions being submitted Hague for answer. After replies received and BFO have finished talks with Republicans, Koets hopes return Bangka for further consultations. Netherlands do not consider Roem telegram (Gocus 609) constitutes rejection invitation and believe door still open. Koets reports Republicans prefer remain Bangka present and plan no visit or move to Batavia. Signed Cochran.