Indonesian Talks May End In Week

Northern Advocate, 1 April 1946, Page 5

Indonesian Talks May End In Week

(Rec. 11 a.m.) BATAVIA. Mar. 31. The Lieutenant Governor General of the Netherlands East Indies (Dr. Van Mook) said he hoped, discussions between Dutch and Indonesian negotiators at The Hague early in April would : last only a week or less. ! Negotiations about the future coni stitution of the NEI would be con--1 eluded in Batavia. Dr. van Mook said the French agreement with Annam helped to provide a solution which otherwise would have been difficult to find. Ho added that the negotiations so far merely concerned the basis for a new constitution. The actual constitution-making could only begin after other groups, not participating in present negotiations, had been heard. Both parties had agreed to this course. A British mission is about to leave for Jogjakarta to discuss with the Indonesian Defence Minister (Sjarifuddin) and the Indonesian army chiefs the evacuation of Japanese forces from the interior of Java, and the relief of approximately 30,0(H) Eurasians and Dutch interned by the Indonesians. LEAVE ON THURSDAY Dr. van Mook, the special British Envoy < Sir Archibald Clark Kerr) and three representatives appointed by the Indonesian Prime Minister (Dr. Sjahrir) will leave for Holland on April 4 to continue the talks for settlement of the Indies problem. An official announcement said the discussions showed that viewpoints had now become close enough to justify a visit to Holland. The Indonesian and Dutch representatives are believed to have reached an agreement on essential points, says Reuter's correspondent.. The Dutch are believed to recognise the de facto control of Java and possibly Sumatra by the Indonesians, while the latter recognise the difficulty at this stage of extending their control to the outer territories. COMMON CITIZENSHIP The Indonesian members going to Holland will be Dr. Soewandi. Dr. Soersano and Dr Pringgodigdo. They have no power to engage in further negotiations, but will place the Indonesian viewpoint before the Dutch Government. A member of Dr Sjahrir’s Cabinet said "The Dutch may make a senti- | mental sacrificce in return for real economic advantages." The agreement, it is stated, ccontemplates common citizenship for Dutch end Indonesians, and guaranteed security tor Dutch economic interests. Dutch troops may remain to help die police in Java.