501.BC Indonesia/9–1949: Telegram
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Steere) to the Secretary of State
807. Hicus 32. With 17 other members steering committee and “Prime Minister Drees left Hague 2 p. m. 16th, had tea with Netherlands Ambassador Brussels and arrived Namur 8 p. m. Met after dinner to arrange schedule. Maarseveen recommended committee meet as whole next morning to consider general program for conference and resolve differences so far revealed. Subsequent discussion showed no chance advance conference until Union statute settled. At instance Hatta, I suggested and Maarseveen accepted that Van Royen, Roem and Anakagung meet alone 9 a. m. on Union problems. Remainder group to hold general discussion and receive report from small group when latter finished.
Saturday morning Maarseveen, Hamid, Blom, Leimena and Supomo met separately to discuss military affairs so no general meeting held but scattered talks took place. Trio on Union met all morning, with Prime Minister Drees called in at noon. Trio plus Drees resumed at 2:30 and at four o’clock asked me join. I worked with them until 7 p. m. Considerable progress made with difficulty. Trio recommended to Maarseveen that I meet with them again Sunday morning with hope Union problems could be resolved by 12:30 and then reported [Page 495] to whole group. Decision taken by chairman Sunday morning, however, that they, Maarseveen, Hatta and Hamid, would also meet with trio. Drees had left for Hague early morning on call for special Cabinet meeting Sunday afternoon presumably account devaluation. Six asked me work with them.
Seven of us discussed Union steadily from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Then reported results to whole committee, lunched and returned Hague. No news given to press at Namur but short communiqué agreed upon for issuance Hague this morning reporting satisfactory progress.
Just before departing for Namur Friday received USHIC 141 giving Soedjatmoko’s version of difficulties experienced by Hatta RTC [apparent garble] Netherlands tactics. Upon return last night found Ushic 162 reporting Stikker’s discussion with Secretary and, quoting his verbal note on necessity US intervention to prevent Indonesians wrecking conference. In light these two indications of divergent positions, I feel Department should understand strongly conflicting attitudes represented in RTC and problems that naturally ensue.
Only accomplishment at Namur was progress on smoothing out most difficult problems on Union statute but feel this entirely worthwhile if decisions taken there adopted by respective delegations Hague. These concerned principally (1) character Union statute, (2) meetings between representatives of Union partners, and (3) position and function of head of Union. Each delegation had separate draft document on Union statute. Working committee had made some progress.
In two sessions in which I participated Namur negotiations considerably more complicated as result presence BFO than when working with Roem and Van Royen alone Batavia. Anakagung, while competent, made things exceedingly difficult for Netherlands delegation since less experienced and more sensitive and suspicious than Republican leaders and also harassed by large delegation lacking discipline and understanding of international negotiations. BFO, far from being “stooge” of Netherland delegation, is more resistant than Repulican delegation. Maarseveen unfortunately has offended both Indonesian delegations by his naturally forceful and impetuous manner in conferences, announcing decisions as taken before Indonesians really aware what going on. Van Royen and I have had to plead with Hamid and Anakagung not to by-pass Maarseveen since he is one who has to convince government and then Parliament of acceptability any agreement reached. Indonesians complained to me of attitude Drees in Saturday morning meeting since they found him more difficult to deal with than Van Royen alone and since he inclined frequently [Page 496] to state that if he yielded further his government could not succeed in getting agreement ratified. In both Saturday and Sunday meetings of small group, I emphasized necessity both Netherlands and Indonesian groups realize political problems of other and strive fairly for workable agreement that could be ratified by all.
Not submitting Union statute working papers at present stage and feel not worthwhile recount various problems of drafting met and dealt with Namur. Am happy report, however, that in almost every instance suggestion which I brought forth after others had argued their positions was accepted. Of troublesome points which were considered, there was only one sentence dealing with decision to be taken by Union which was not resolved and was left for consideration Hague. Will require time and effort get decisions taken Namur agreed to by delegation Hague. For instance, on one point Anakagung was so difficult we finally had three drafts which Netherlands would accept and left choice of one thereof to his delegation, including his own draft to which a time schedule had been added by me. Just before leaving Namur, he wanted know if he could take what he wished from each of three drafts. Delegations meeting separately today. Tuesday morning working group from three delegations meet on Union statute. No chance having consolidated draft Union statute before end week but if progress made at Namur confirmed and continues, outlook is satisfactory. Roem and Anakagung promised help straighten out “significant interests” problem steering committee Tuesday.
I do not subscribe to belief that impasse be reached or that either side “is willing”. Positions are so divergent and interests at stake so important that negotiations difficult and tedious, particularly with large delegations including many inexperienced Indonesians. Hard for UNCI help as unit since Critchley definitely marked as advisor to Republicans and not trusted by Netherlands and Herremans found so ineffectual that rarely consulted even by Netherlands.
I shall not attempt comment on separate points raised by Stikker and Soedjatmoko. Several of their observations obvious to Department as unduly biased while others already out of date by progress made. Notwithstanding troublesome and dangerous factors involved, I feel satisfactory settlement can be worked out if RTC left alone to follow such plodding course as that adopted Namur. Van Royen suggested to me last night we have weekend somewhere in Holland of small group soon as economic-financial matters are negotiated to point where final decisions necessary. Serious problems will be faced there as will also on New Guinea. For UNCI or its members to endeavor prepare draft solutions in advance would not be wise. Each delegation already has much drafting prepared and feels it must present this and [Page 497] its arguments therefore to convince political members and supporters that best efforts being made to achieve desired ends. We can only help in resolving differences when negotiations between parties approach exhaustion. My position not easy as only UNCI member called in to small meetings. Unless I am strictly objective, my usefulness ends. I have much contact with various leaders and appear have confidence Hamid and Anakagung well as leaders Netherlands delegation and Republican delegation. All sides thanked me cordially upon leaving Namur for help they thought I had contributed. Signed Cochran.
Sent Department 807; repeated Batavia 60.