SETTLEMENT IN INDONESIA SEEMS TO BE NEARER

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1949, Page 5

SETTLEMENT IN INDONESIA SEEMS TO BE NEARER

Dutch Accept U.N.O. Directions

THE HAGUE. Feb. 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 Dutch Parliament to-day. Total rejection of the resolution would mean a complete break with the United Nations and that, woula cause chaos in Indonesia. The Netherlands High Commissioner, Dr Reel, had submitted a proposal to overcome the deadlock on the establishment of an Interim Federal Government in Indonesia, Mr Maarseveen said. Dr Beel’s plan, broadly, was:—(l) The 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 would include Indonesian republicans. (3) A round-table conference at The Hague to arrange the speedy transfer of sovereignty.

The Dutch Government said Mr van Maarseveen, could not possibly fulfil the demands of the Indonesian republicans, that all political prisoners b° freed and the former republican authority in Jogjakarta be •restored. The question of restoring: the Republican Government would automatically be solved when agreement ”/a- reached with the republican leaders. - xl _ . . Mr Maarseven said the Dutch Government wished to release the Republican leaders, but first wanted Dr Reel’s advice on whether their release would accord with Dutch responsibility for the maintenance of order. , , , Mr Maarseveen gave no date wnen th" Dutch plans could be nut. into action. _ . u is expected that a Government dpA]>> ration to-morrow will be more specific. Mr Maarseveen said that Holland did not object tn the United Nations Commission for Indonesia, but the full power that the United Nations demanded for the commission, was unbearable and intolerable if it interfered with internal sovereignty, which still rested with Holland. Political circles consider that Mr Maarseveen’s statement has cleaned the air considerably, and they feel that tr><=> prospects of a settlement, are brighter than nt any time since the Security Council passed its resolution on January PR.