NETHERLANDS’ OFFER TO INDONESIA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24798, 12 February 1946, Page 5

NETHERLANDS’ OFFER TO INDONESIA

Unfavourable Reception

DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) BATAVIA, Feb. 11. The Netherlands policy for Indonesian self-government has been given an unfavourable reception in Indonesian Republican Government quarters, but it is generally recognised that the proposal is a starting point, and the talks between the Lieu-tenant-Governor (Dr. H. J. van Mook) and the Indonesian Prune Minister (Sutan Sjahnr) will go on. The veteran official spokesman of the Indonesian Government (Haji Salim) said: Personally, lam not surprised at v hat has been offered. Practically none of the Dutchmen responsible for the offer know this country, and the Dutchmen here who spent the war years in camps and were treated badlv are not in a fit state of mind to be ready to give up Indonesia to the people who belong to it, nor can we expect impartiality from the British, who are so closely involved with the Dutch in Java. The statement gives us something on which to start the discussions.’

“The choice before the Indonesian people and their leaders is grave but simple in essentials. It lies between self-determination in our time, after a period of constructive co-operation and with the best of guarantees obtainable for a lasting structure for their country or continuation of a fruitless, destnictive civil war.” This comment was made by Dr. H. J. van Mook in presenting the Netherlands Governments policy statement. The statement was as follows: "The Government, taking the view that the people of Indonesia should, after a given preparatory period, be enabled freely to decide their political destiny, considers it its duty to do everything in its pow’er to create and fulfil as soon as possible conditions which will permit such a free decision to be taken, thereby complying with Article 73 of the United Nations Charter.

Democratic Partnership “The Government therefore intends, in consultation with authoritative representatives of Indonesia, elected from a large variety of groups, to draft a structure for the Kingdom and Indonesia based upon democratic partnership. This new structure is to remain in force for a given time, believed to suffice for the fulfilment of the conditions for the free decision referred to above. At the end of this period the partners shall decide independently about the continuation of their relations on the basis of complete and voluntary partnership. “After the new organisation in the form of a Commonwealth of Indonesia becomes operative, the Netherlands Government will promote speedy adoption of the Commonwealth of Indonesia as a member of the United Nations.”

Dr. van Mook said discussion would be held in accordance with several main points which included the following: There should be a Commonwealth of Indonesia composed of territories possessing different degrees of autonomy.

There shall be established Indonesian citizenship for all born in Indonesia.

Netherlands and Indonesian citizenship shell be entitled to exercise all Civil rights in all parts of the kingdom. The domestic affairs of the Com-

“ < S w ? a l th of I nd °nesia shall be manw„.l>,“ dependently by the Commonwealth s own institutions. .. For the Commonwealth as a whole, the creation of a democratic, representative body, containing a substantial Indonesian majority, is contemplated; also a Cabinet formed in political harmony with the representative body, with a representative of the Crown as nead the. Government executive. The constitution of the proposed new structure guarantees all fundamental rights.

It is also proposed that a central institution functioning for the entire kingdom shall be composed of repreS>m atiVeS fr ° m 311 PartS ° f the k * ng "

The Cabinet for the whole kingdom shall consist of Ministers from all parts of the kingdom and legislation for the kingdom will be enacted in conformity with the Parliament of those parts. Dr. van Mook said a representative of the Crown would possess under his responsibility to the Government of kingdom special powers to guarantee fundamental rights in efficient administration and sound financial management. These powers were to be exercised only when such rights and interests were affected. Definite Goal Set Dr. van Mook said: “For the first time in the history of the relationship between the Netherlands and Indonesia, a definite goal is set for the political development of Indonesia, recognising the right of selfdetermination for citizens of this country. The proposals embody a clear, workable way towards democratic liberty. At the end of the period of transition, Indonesia will be completely free to decide its political future. ' “Confusion due to Japanese oppression and circumstances attending the surrender of Japan have obscured for Indonesians, especially in Java and Sumatra, these developments in the Netherlands attitude, although it is a natural result, both of the principles of our policy as they have been laid down as far back as 1901, and of the general trend of affairs before end during the war. Lack of contact and misrepresentation have caused a serious misunderstanding between the two peoples, which has been regrettably increased by acts o£ violence.”