DUTCH IN DILEMMA TWO PLANS FOR INDONESIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22872, 16 February 1949, Page 7

DUTCH IN DILEMMA TWO PLANS FOR INDONESIA

THE HAGUE, Feb. 14. .. Two plans for Indonesia are now under consideration by the Netherlands Cabinet. They are;— 1. The proposals of Dr. Louis Beel, Dutch Royal Commissioner for Indonesia, for the immediate transfer of sovereignty to the Indonesians. 2. The creation of a United States of Indonesia by May 1. Dr. Beel is at present en route to The Hague by air for talks after receiving new instructions from Cabinet following the resignation of the Minister for Overseas Territories, Mr. Sassen. Retention of Certain Powers The Beel Plan proposes that by a special treaty between the Dutch and the Indonesians certain powers will remain vested in the Dutch Royal Commission until law and order are restored and financial and economic arrangements are settled. This plan, it is claimed, would show the world that the Dutch mean to carry out their promises and would avoid any clash with’ the Security Council’s resolution of January 28. Some members of Cabinet led by Mr Sassen considered that such a speedy transfer of sovereignty and power was both dangerous and dignified, and as a result the plan was held in abeyance. Should Accept U.N. Resolution

The other plan, known as tne Cabinet plan, proposes that the Dutch Government should accept the Security Council’s resolution under protest and do its utmost to carry out its terms. This would acknowledge the status and powers of the United Nations’ Commission for Indonesia and indicate an intention to work with it as co-operatively as possible. Under this plan a conference would be arranged between the Dutch and the Republicans and the Federalists and the United Nations’ Commission to hammer out a settlement.

As a preliminary, the immediate release of the Republican leaders has seemed necessary, and this has caused a considerable difference of opinion in Cabinet. With Mr. Sassen’s departure an agreement is much more possible.