Setting Up Of United States Of Indonesia Provided For In Agreement Just Signed

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 January 1948, Page 5

Setting Up Of United States Of Indonesia Provided For In Agreement Just Signed

WORK OF UNITED NATIONS GOOD ' OFFICES COMMITTEE

Received 10 p.m. BATAVIA, Jan. 17 An agreement, calling a cease fire within 48 hours and the establishment of demilitarised zones between the opposing forces in 14 days, was signed today by the Dutch and Indonesian Republicans. The agreement is the result of negotiations by the United Nations Good Offices Committee over the last twelve weeks. The cease fire order tells the troops of both armies to avoid provocation, continue the task of maintenance of law and order, defend themselves if attacked, avoid incidents and to realise they remain responsible for the safety of life and property. Demiiitarised zones are to be established on boundary lines defined by the Netherlands East Indies Government proclamation of August 29, last, after the police action. The zones are to be policed by Dutch and Republican civil police under the observation of military assistants of the Good Offices Committee.

The truce provides for free elections, for s<»lf-determillation by the people of their political relationship in the United States of Indonesia. Neither party has a right to prevent free expression of popular movements, and decisions concerning changes of administration of the territory are to be made only with the free consent of the population when security and freedom from coercion are ensured. On the signing of the agreement both parties ar? to reduce their armed forces and as soon as practical after the truce economic activity and communications are to be restored. The proposals provide that Netherlands sovereignty shall remain until the United States is established. The republic will accept the position of a State in the United States and fair representation will be given In any provisional Federal Government established.

REPUBLIC DISAPPOINTED The ’ Republican Premier (Mr. Sjarifuddin) said -he Republic naturally was disappointed at the termi of the agreement because they departed so far from what the Republicans hoped for and what they had expected from the Good Offices Committee’s proposals. The Leader of the Netherlands delegation, Raden Abdul Kadir, described the truce as the first milestone in a difficult road before Indonesia. The chairman if the Good Offices Committee, Mr. Justice Kirby (Australia) said the agreement provided an opporttunity tor discussions now to go forward in a spirit of better understanding, and co-operation on the basic principles of the United Nations. The American member (Dr. Frank Graham) appealed to the parties to transform objectives from conflict to peace, from sabotage to salvage, from bullets to ballots, from disunion to the co-operation of the two peoples for human freedom, national independence and reconstructions.