501.BC Indonesia/6–1749: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
542. Gocus 729. Received Usgoc 3831 after despatch Gocus 727 and 728,2 first thereof reporting agreement between delegations on six draft documents and second transmitting documents.
Before Roem left for Bangka to submit drafts for Hatta’s approval he thanked me warmly for my support and said was confident could obtain Hatta’s approval. Gave complete sets documents to Critchley and Herremans. They had been familiar with three major documents until stage of final negotiations. They both approved manner in which I had sought way out of difficulty through exchange letters, et cetera. UNCI would be unanimous therefore if Netherlands Government should react to these documents in any manner which would risk weakening Republic at this time.
While I have not endeavored in my messages to explain every move to Department, it should be understood that when I am serving as middleman at request two chairmen, I present each side’s position to other when asked do so without myself taking commitment thereon. When thereafter I get parties together to work out compromise, it frequently occurs that my own formula is accepted. For instance, I yesterday dictated following: “Both parties shall cooperate fully in maintaining law and order, in protecting all elements of population and in facilitating each other’s measures of self defense” which was accepted as substitute for several last minute contentious Netherlands Delegation amendments, including following: “Parties shall not extend their military action to areas assigned to other party, unless armed forces of [Page 443] one party, by serious encroachment of present regulations, constitute immediate danger to armed forces of other party or unless disturbances of law and order take place to such extent that population urgently requires to be protected. In these instances parties shall instantly report to their governments and to UNCI.” The proposed letters to be exchanged and plan for manual entirely my drafting. I submit foregoing since recent Deptels have indicated concern lest Republican interests were suffering.
Sultan Hamid called last night to ask if one more representative from Borneo could be added to six representatives his group invited to participate in UNCI discussions. I offered refer matter to my colleagues but told him my recommendation would be negative. He agreed to accept this as final. There is quoted text of letter which I, as UNCI chairman, addressed Hamid, as BFO chairman, on June 14:
“Have honor refer to paragraph 4(D) of SC resolution 28 January. Availing itself of authority contained therein, UNCI has honor to invite you and five other representatives of areas in Indonesia other than Republic, members of BFO, to participate, without prejudice to rights, claims and positions of parties, in discussions at present being held in Batavia under auspices of Commission.
“Secretariat of Commission will make known time and place of meeting which you and other represnetatives will be invited to attend.”
From this it will be noted that letter of SC resolution January 28 was followed. While recognizing BFO through addressing Hamid, individuals to be invited are identified as representatives of areas in Indonesia other than Republic. By specifying these as members BFO there are eliminated observers from such areas as Tapanuli and Djambi. Signed Cochran.