p.m.

Received 16 October 1949, 8.30 a.m.

SECRET

My telegram 9 (K343). [1]

At the Central Joint Board meeting yesterday, October 14th, the
Netherlands Representative explained [that the] [2] s'Jacob
proposals [3] could not, for the time being, be implemented since
the Republic did not accept certain 'Fundamental features' (i.e.

the proposal to withdraw from the Negaras). The Netherlands
Delegation therefore, considered that it was necessary to decide
on delineations of zones of patrolling and had accordingly
initiated discussions on the arrangements for those areas where
the parties appeared most likely to reach agreement. The
[resulting] provisional agreement of October 10th was in
accordance with the cease-hostilities agreement, and in Purwokerto
and Magelang, in line with the military observers'
recommendations; moreover, it provided for the maintenance of law
and order over a wide area and gave a good basis for more
extensive arrangements. The Netherlands delegation accepted it.

2. The Republican representative [4] argued that where the T.N.I.

withdrew, experience showed that the Dutch forces were not able to
cope adequately with the disorderly elements, and consequently,
the position was made more difficult for the T.N.I. when it should
later take over again after the withdrawal of the Dutch forces.

The Republic was particularly concerned about this danger in the
Temanggoeng-Magelang area where there were opposition elements
which had caused trouble at the time of the Madiun uprising. The
proposed arrangement was acceptable if the Dutch would agree to
co-ordinated patrolling in these areas, but the Republican
Delegation could not accept the withdrawal of the T.N.I. I
understand, also, that the Republicans have information of a Dutch
plan to maintain the Northern areas of Java under K.N.I.L.

control. In view of this pressure for their withdrawal from the
Negaras, they are reluctant to adopt the present arrangement until
their position in other areas is clearer.

3. The F.C.A. representative [5] supported the Republic but the
Dutch not being agreeable to the Republican suggestions the matter
was referred to the U.N.C.I. under paragraph 3(C) [6] part 2 of
the manual.

4. The Chairman [7] then read a statement of the U.N.C.I.

representatives. This pointed out that the recent discussions
between the parties had not yet resulted in any agreement for an
overall settlement of the military situation in Java and Sumatra.

At the same time in their discussions in the local Joint Committee
the parties had nowhere reached agreement and were unlikely to in
the near future. The U.N.C.I. representatives were reluctant to
intervene in parties' direct discussions if there were a clear
possibility of an early settlement but they considered the present
situation placed too great a strain upon the cease-hostilities
agreement and would result in instabilities which would seriously
endanger satisfactory implementation of the agreement. This urgent
position required immediate steps by the Board. They, therefore,
proposed a military sub-committee of the Netherlands and
Republican senior staff officers, together with the U.N.C.I.

military representatives, to draw up an arrangement for the
allocation of military patrolling responsibilities firstly for
Java and then for Sumatra. To avoid a direct Dutch refusal of this
proposal, as appeared likely before the meeting, consideration was
deferred until the following meeting.

5. A Republican request that the Board consider the situation in
East Java was also deferred at the request of the Netherlands who
pleaded insufficient notice. The Board will probably meet again on
Monday
6. The Sultan of Djokjakarta is sending an aide memoire to Lovink
on Friday morning. In this, the Republican Government referred to
the serious situation in East Java and the growing difficulties in
East Pasundan and expressed its fear that if, in the military
sphere, positive steps were not taken immediately then it would
become almost impossible to solve the difficulties. It, therefore,
most urgently insisted that the parties of the military staffs
meet immediately and arrange for
(a) Co-ordinated military mission for the restoration of law and
order and
(b) the effective dislocation of military forces (in the light of
Lovink's earlier informal promise in this respect and the coming
transfer of sovereignty). The Republic proposed that the Dutch
should regroup by Regencies and T.N.I. by districts, the Dutch
maintaining control of communication highways. From these
positions, the two forces could then co-ordinate patrolling.

7. The Sultan reported the meeting to be most unsatisfactory but
Lovink asked for further details and has cabled to The Hague for
instructions.