Renville Agreement

The Renville Agreement was a United Nations Security Council brokered political accord between the Netherlands who were seeking to re-establish their colony in South East Asia, and Indonesian Republicans seeking to secure Indonesian independence during the Indonesian National Revolution. Ratified on January 17, 1948, the agreement was an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the disputes that arose following the 1946 Linggadjati Agreement. It recognised a cease-fire along the so-called 'van Mook line'; an artificial line which connected up the most advanced Dutch positions.

The agreement is named after "USS Renville", the ship on which the negotiations were held while anchored in Jakarta Bay.

Background

On 1 August 1947 an Australian resolution in the United Nations Security Council calling for a ceasefire between the Dutch and Indonesian Republican forces was passed. Dutch Lt. Governor-General Van Mook gave the ceasefire order on 5 August.Ide Anak Agung (1973), pp. 34-35.] On 25 August, the Security Council passed a resolution proposed by the United States that the Security Council tender its good offices to help resolve the Dutch-Indonesian dispute peacefully. This assistance would take the form of a Committee of Good Offices (CGO) made up of three representatives, one appointed by the Netherlands, one by Indonesia and a third, mutually agreed by both sides. The Dutch chose a representative from Belgium, Indonesia chose one from Australia and both agreed on the US for the third member.Ide Anak Agung (1973), p. 34.] Kahin (1952) p. 217.] A few days later, on 29 August 1947 the Dutch proclaimed the Van Mook Line, claiming it marked the extent the areas they held as of the ceasefire. However the Dutch included areas of Indonesia the Dutch had not reentered. The republic was left with about a third of Java and most of the island of Sumatra, but the republican forces were cut off from the main food growing regions. A Dutch blockade then stopped arms, food and clothing reaching the republicans.Kahin (1952) pp. 218-221.]

The negotiations begin

After protracted discussions, all sides agreed to hold the talks at a neutral venue. The United States made available the troopship "USS Renville", which was anchored in Jakarta Bay, and the first formal session of the CGO began on 8 December 1947.Ide Anak Agung (1973), p.36.] Kahin (1952), p. 224.]

The republican delegation was led by Amir Sjarifuddin, with Johannes Leimena as his deputy. On the Dutch side, the delegation was led by Jhr. Van Vredenburg, with Col. Abdulkadir Widjojoatmodjo as his deputy.

On 26 December as negotiations stalled, the CGI issued a "Christmas Message", a proposal calling for a truce with the Van Mook line as military boundary. However, Dutch forces would withdraw to positions held before the July 1947 military action and the republicans would take over civilian administration upon returning to those areas. The Indonesian side accepted the proposal in its entirely, but Dutch only partly agrees and put forward 12 counter proposals. Among these was a demand for free elections for people to decide their relationship with the future United States of Indonesia and for both sides to guarantee freedom of assembly and speech. The Dutch not accept troop withdrawals or Indonesian civilian administration in those areas returned to their control.. The Dutch also opposed any international observation of the agreement.Kahin (1952), pp. 224-229.]

Pressure from the Dutch outside the talks

On 19 December, the Dutch prime minister visited Medan and said there must be a quick resolution and that it would be "most regrettable if this last appeal, this last appeal, were not understood".Ide Anak Agung (1973), p. 37.] Ten days later, Van Mook announced the establishment of state of East Sumatra, thus indicating that the Dutch were going ahead with the establishment of a federal state. Then on 4 January 1948, the Dutch organized a conference of representatives they had selected from 10 regions of Indonesia. These representatives agreed to form an interim federal government pending the establishment of the United States of Indonesia. The Republic of Indonesia was invited to join as minority partner.Kahin (1952), p. 225.]

Agreement is reached

On 9 January, the Dutch delegation warned that if the Indonesian side did not accept its proposals within three days, it would ask its government for further instructions. The Committee of Good Offices to put forward six principles to counter the 12 from the Dutch. Among their provisions were that Dutch sovereignty would continue until transferred to the United States of Indonesia, or which the Republic of Indonesia; fair representation for each component of the provisional federal state in its government; a referendum within six months to ask people if they wanted their region to the Republic of Indonesia or the United States of Indonesia and a constitutional convention to draw up constitution. Furthermore, any state would be free to not join RIS.Kahin (1952), pp. 224-226.]

The Dutch side said would accept these proposals if Indonesians accepted them and its original 12 proposals by the 12 January deadline. After a 48-hour extension to the deadline and discussions to clarify the Dutch proposals, Dr Frank Graham, the US member of the CGO convinced the republicans to accept, saying they could rely on the US using its influence to ensure the Dutch kept to their side of the bargain. The Indonesian side also felt that referendums in the regions would result in victory for the pro-republicans and that they would be able to dominate the federal government. Graham also told Amir Sjarifuddin that the US would provide aid to help rebuild a free Indonesia.Kahin (1952), pp. 226-228.] Ide Anak Agung (1973), p. 39.] Initially President Sukarno and Vice-president Hatta opposed the agreement, but after hearing reports of shortages of ammunition and worried that Dutch would attack again if the agreement not signed, they agreed. They were also reluctant to accept responsibility for substantial civilian and military casualties if the fighting continued. After the Dutch and republican sides agreed on a truce along the Van Mook line and the proposals put forward by the CGO and the Dutch, the agreement was signed on the foredeck of the "USS Renville" on 17 January 1948Kahin (1952), pp. 228-229.] Ide Anak Agung, (1973) pp. 38-39.]

References

Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung (1973) "Twenty Years Indonesian Foreign Policy: 1945-1965" Mouton & Co ISBN 979-8139-06-2

Kahin, George McTurnan (1952) "Nationalism and Revolution in Indonesia" Cornell University Press, ISBN 0-8014-9108-8

Notes

External references

*http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9063217?query=Renville%20Agreement&ct=
* [http://www.houseofdavid.ca/renville.htm Text and Background on the Renville Agreement]