Round-table Conference On Future Of Indonesia Convened By Netherlands

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27166, 23 August 1949, Page 5

Round-table Conference On Future Of Indonesia Convened By Netherlands

NZPA—Copyright

Rec. 9 p.m

LONDON, Aug. 22

The Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Willem Drees, will open the roundtable conference on Indonesia at The Hague to-morrow. The Dutch Government convened the conference after four years of dispute, fighting and negotiation, “to reach agreement on the ways and means of transferring real, complete and unconditional sovereignty to the United Republic of Indonesia, in accordance with the principles of the Renville Agreement, signed by the Dutch and Indonesian Republics on January 17, 1948.”

The conference consists of a Dutch delegation of 24, headed by the Overseas Territories Minister, Dr J. H. van Maarseveen; a Republican delegation of 45, led by the Premier, Dr Mohammed Hatta; a Federalist delegation of 65, headed by Sultan Hamicf II of Pontinak; and the United Nations Commission for Indonesia, comprising Mr Merle Cochran (America), Mr T. K Critchley (Australia) and Mr Raymond Herremans (Belgium). Reuter’s correspondent at The Hague says all the delegations agree on early discussion on the withdrawal of the Dutch troops and the recognition of the United Republican Army to mantain law and order.

Dutch New Guinea, which is the only area in the Indonesian Archipelago still under full Dutch control, is a. thorny problem. Dr Hatta said yesterday: “The Dutch have one idea; we have a very different one. We consider New Guinea part of the State of Indonesia, but the Dutch do not include it in that area and wish to regain it.”

Reuter says the Dutch public seems more resigned to the “ loss ” of Indonesia than the politicians. Many ordinary people blame the Government or the United Nations, or even Britain for the situation, but admit there is nothing to be done about it. There is strong feeling that the conference is of Little use, as the Government has sold out ’’ already. The Dutch press is maintaining a sharp division of opinion„ but all the papers are making special arrangements for a full coverage of the conference and appear to be giving it a sporting chance. - v