DUTCH PLANS IN INDONESIA

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25732, 18 February 1949, Page 7

DUTCH PLANS IN INDONESIA

U.N. TO BE OBEYED “IN PRINCIPLE” RELEASE OF REPUBLICAN LEADERS REFUSED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) THE HAGUE, February 16. The Netherlands, in principle, would follow the Security Council’s resolution on Indonesia, said the Dutch Minister of Overseas Territories (Mr van Maarseveen) in a statement to the Netherlands Parliament. Total rejection of the resolution would mean a complete break with the United Nations, and that would cause chaos in Indonesia, he said. The Netherlands High Commissioner (Dr. Beel) had submitted a proposal to overcome the deadlock on the establishment of an interim Federal Government in Indonesia. Mr Maarseveen said that Dr. Beel’s plan, broadly, was: (1) A United States of Indonesia to be called the Republic of the United States of Indonesia. (2) Sovereignty to be transferred as soon as possible after the formation of an interim Government, which v/ould include Indonesian Republicans. (3) A round-table conference at The Hague to arrange a speedy transfer of sovereignty. The Dutch Government could not possibly fulfil the demands of the Indonesian Republicans that all political prisoners be freed, and that the former Republican authority in Jogjakarta be restored. The question of restoring the Republican Government would automatically be solved when agreement was reached with the Republican leaders. Mr Maarseveen said that the Dutch Government wished to release the Republican leaders, but it first wanted Dr. Reel’s advice on whether their release would accord with Dutch responsibility for the maintenance of order.