501.BC Indonesia/4–1649: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
353. Gocus 661. On 15th prepared and obtained approval Austr[al]ian and Belgian colleagues to 17 questions suggesting points for discussion on restoration Jogja. Submitted these informally to Van Royen and Roem.
Visited British Consul General and brought him to date on discussions. He said Van Royen had called and told him surprised and pleased with good atmosphere first meeting. Said Van Royen expressed concern lest restoration Jogja would lower morale Netherlands military forces and have bad press reaction in Netherlands. Consul General said he replied his press summaries from Hague Embassy indicated Netherlands being prepared for this and added that military would just have to accommodate themselves to situation. Consul General thought he should impress upon Republicans reasonableness of Van Royen and get Republicans concede where possible. I replied that although good progress made initially success depends largely on Van Royen being able and willing accept something less than strict “binding agreements” from Republicans in present conversations. I said I was constantly endeavoring make Republicans reasonable but would appreciate Consul General’s support in letting Van Royen realize how much depends on one point mentioned.
Presided second UNCFI meeting 10 a. m. today. Cleared up agenda [Page 373] and rules procedure satisfactorily. Roem presented Republican confidential working paper text whereof follows:
- “1. Restoration Republican Government to Jogja should be undertaken along general lines indicated hereinafter.
- 2. Is generally very difficult for Republican
authorities Jogja to collect adequate material and
information regarding conditions Jogja and environs in
view of existing military regulations, e.g.:
- a.
- Prohibition to assemble in groups of more than five persons;
- b.
- Continual raids and arrests which make it extremely difficult for Republican authorities to maintain regular contact with each other even within city;
- c.
- Virtual impossibility communicating with environs;
- d.
- Impossibility entering or viewing conditions in offices, industrial establishments, schools and other premises formerly used by Republic of Indonesia on account their being occupied or guarded by Netherlands Army or their being used to house Netherlands offices;
- e.
- Prohibition to engage in any form of activity designed to revive Republican organization.
- 3. Plan to be carried out is based on paragraph 4 (F) of Resolution January 28 of SC stipulating that whole territory controlled by Republic under Renville should progressively be returned to administration of government of Republic of Indonesia in shortest possible time. This restoration involves withdrawal of Netherlands Army, police and civil administration.
- 4. In first instance, in accordance with paragraph 2
of Resolution January 28 of SC, city Jogja and its immediate environs
should be returned. Accordingly first phase should
concern return of:
- a.
- City of Jogja (municipality);
- b.
- Its immediate environs consisting of “panewons” (administrative districts) around Jogja including Maguwo airfield and Kaliurang which supplies Jogja with its water.
- Actual transfer in first phase will take three days. Population of municipality numbers approximately 400,000 people. Population of environs numbers approximately 300,000 people, making total of 700,000.
- 5. After this first phase three consecutive phases—one immediately following the other—should complete return of whole special territory of Jogja to administration of Republic of Indonesia within 14 days. Otherwise it would be extremely difficult effectively to maintain law and order within city since there exists close interrelation between security in city proper and its environs.
- 6. It is of utmost importance that transfer be preceded by local cease-fire issued by both parties and to be effective throughout special territory of Jogja.
- 7. Actual transfer should be preceded by preliminary period of two weeks in which to assemble police force and auxiliary police and in which to collect required material.
- 8. During preliminary period referred to sub 7, vital officials now outside city, whose services will be required, should be given opportunity to enter city. To this end creation of preparatory commission composed of Netherlands and Republican authorities working under observation of UNCFI (military observers and other advisors) is envisaged.
- 9. Minister of State (Sultan Jogja) in capacity of coordinator of security will be given full power to act in behalf of Government republic in all affairs connected with preparations and execution of transfer.
- 10. After transfer completed Sultan will continue to exercise command over security organs until otherwise decided by Republican Government.
- 11. For maintenance of law and order a police force of 1200 men will be employed in city Jogja and its environs, in addition 1300 more will be employed for rest of special territory of Jogja making total of 2500 police troops,
- 12. In view of chaotic conditions in Jogja as result of second military action and considerable amount of arms in illicit possession and in view also of fact that much equipment has fallen into Netherlands hands, it will be necessary that equipment of police be supplemented with items as specified in list to be submitted.
- 13. Following materials required for administrative
functions of government.
- a.
- Motor vehicles.
- b.
- Wireless and telephone equipment.
- c.
- Electric power generating and distributing equipment.
- d.
- Water supply equipment.
- e.
- Printing equipment.
- f.
- Office equipment and stationery, because according to information received much of materials listed above has been removed, damaged or has become lost. Provisional specified list will be submitted.
- 14. In addition arrangements have to be made for supply of food, textiles, medicine and fuel as specified in list to be submitted.
- 15. To ensure supply of food to Jogja there must be free traffic between city and surrounding country primarily in view of fact that part of Jogja’s food supply enter city through village roads so that traffic must not be hampered by blockade; such restrictions as have to be made must be limited to control on firearms.
- 16. Supply routes (railroads and highways) connecting Jogja with Solo, Magelang and Karanganjar should be opened and maintained since Jogja is situated in a minus area. In order ensure supply of fuel and lubricants facilities will have to be made to obtain these products from Tjepu or other cities where supplies are available. For this purpose road building material and auxiliary bridges (Bailey type) will have to be made available.
- 17. Pending over-all agreement Republic currency (URI) will be legal tender of Government of Republic Indonesia. To meet need of currency the complete printing plant which was in Jogja prior to second military action as well as paper and inks will be required. There will be no determination of rate of exchange between Republic [Page 375] currency and NEI guilder. Neither will there be prohibition on use NEI currency.
- 18. Although personnel of Departments and services have left Jogja in large numbers there remains sufficient group to staff administrative organs of government. Netherlands authorities should extend facilities to enable persons willing return Jogja to do so.
- 19. Certain establishments set up by Netherlands military forces may be required by Republican Government, e.g. work shops, et cetera. No adequate data in this respect are available requiring further investigation by commission referred to sub 8.
- 20. In general all public utilities (post offices, telephone service, railway station, et cetera) should be returned to Republic of Indonesia. Personnel who have already entered Netherlands service should be free return to Republic service if they choose to do so.”
Djuanda gave oral explanation thereof. After reading document Van Royen said his delegation would study and comment thereon soonest but might not be possible Tuesday. He volunteered have material ready Tuesday for discussion various questions pertinent restoration which I had circulated. Reference penultimate paragraph Gocus 660,2 Van Royen continued his remarks of opening meeting 14th with statement on amendment to Netherlands constitution and raised question as to Republic constitution. Roem promised answer in due course.
I announced arrangements for Roem and three colleagues proceed this afternoon by UNCFI plane to Bangka for consultation with leaders and return Monday afternoon. Next meeting 10:30 Tuesday. We agreed Republic working papers should be kept confidential but Van Royen statement released to press. Text thereof forwarded Lake Success by secretariat.
Roem and other Republicans have expressed to me much satisfaction with attitude Van Royen has taken and progress achieved. Van Royen expressed slight shock at parts Republic working paper. I said best have views expressed frankly at once in pleasant atmosphere. Easter recess useful in permitting study and preparation for discussing calmly contentious points now brought into open. Signed Cochran.