Hatta replied [1] on February 3rd to B.F.M.D. [2] invitation in
terms indicated in K.264. [3] On February 5th, before Hatta's
reply had been received in Batavia, Soekarno telegraphed B.F.M.D.

Chairman that he would be unable to reply to his invitation until
he and Salim had conferred with Hatta and requested air transport
to Bangka for that purpose. [4] Accordingly Soekarno and Salim
flew to Bangka on February 6th. At the same time, Gde Agung, of
East Indonesia and Ateng of East Java visited Bangka on behalf of
the Federalists and Republican representatives from Batavia also
went along.

2. Following discussions at Bangka on February 6th, and February
7th, the Republican Delegation has reported [5] as follows:-

(a) The Two Federalists explained Beel's standpoint including his
willingness to delete the last paragraph of his letter February
1st (K 263 [6] paragraph 1 (c)(3));

(b) Republicans did not consider this satisfied their conditions
for the commencement of talks (K256 [7] and K263);

(c) Accordingly, the position of the Republican Government, as
stated in Hatta's letter of February 3rd remains unchanged and, in
particular, it is re [8] that:-

(1) A speedy and satisfactory solution could be found if both
parties clearly declared acceptance of the Security Council's
resolution [9],
(2) The Republic is willing to enter into conversations with
B.F.M.D. only with cognizance of the Commission and into formal
talks only under the Commission's auspices;

(d) Soekarno and Hatta are willing to meet B.F.M.D. members for
'informal talks and organization changing' on an agreed date at
Bangka.

3. During the talks at Bangka Gde Agung raised with the Republican
leaders informal proposals for an 'early transfer of sovereignty'
referred to in my telegram K.265. [10] The Republicans consider
proposals unsatisfactory as they do not envisage a real transfer
of sovereignty. Control of the army, foreign relations, finance,
etc., would be retained by the Dutch. Details will be telegraphed
as soon as a translation of proposals becomes available.

4. Hatta has invited the Commission to visit Bangka in the near
future for discussions at Pangkal Pinang, regarding the Security
Council's resolution and its implementation. Informally the
Republicans have suggested that the visit should await Cochran's
return. Seokarno and Salim are remaining at Bangka for the time
being both to be with Hatta and to see the Commission when it
visits there.

5. Soekarno received an enthusiastic reception when he arrived at
Pangkal Pinang airport Bangka, February 6th. He had intended to
visit Pangkal Pinang again on February 8th but was asked by the
Resident of Bangka to cancel this trip as plans had been made for
further large scale demonstrations in his honour. An interesting
situation will arise when the Commission visits Bangka as Soekarno
will doubtless wish to receive us at Pangkal Pinang.

6. I have been pressing for a further report to the Security
Council stressing the failure of the Dutch Government, despite
several requests, to make clear its attitude regarding the
Security Council's resolution but the United States Acting
Representative [11] clearly has instructions to await Cochran's
arrival.