Diplomacy as important as military struggle, book says
Diplomacy as important as military struggle, book says
JAKARTA (JP): Diplomatic efforts played as important role as the military struggle for Indonesia's independence, says prominent scholar Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung in his newest book.
Amid praise and criticism, Anak Agung launched his latest history book Persetujuan Linggajati, Prolog & Epilog (Linggajati Agreement, Prologue and Epilogue) at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences yesterday.
The book, published jointly by the Pustaka Nusatama Foundation and the Sebelas Maret University Press, uncovers significant political and diplomatic efforts made prior and after the Linggajati agreement signed on March 25, l947, by delegations from Indonesia and the Netherlands.
The agreement, named after the West Java village where it was signed, aimed at bringing Indonesia and Dutch to the round-table talks to settle problems between the two countries following the declaration of Indonesia's independence on Aug. 17, l945.
Some political groups in the Netherlands at the time insisted on maintaining its colonial administration in Indonesia. Other groups, pressured by the international political climate, advocated the use of diplomatic paths to determine the future of Indonesia.
Anak Agung stresses how Sutan Syahrir, chairman of the Indonesian delegation to the Linggajati talks, and Lt. Gen. Van Mook of the Netherlands's toiled to reach an agreement.
The book says that although the Linggajati negotiations came to a deadlock, the attempt showed the world that Indonesia was capable of making important diplomatic efforts.
The failure of the Linggajati agreement led to the Dutch Military Actions in July l947.
Ali Boediardjo, one of the Indonesian delegates to the talks, who was present at the launching yesterday, said the book has many shortcomings, including a lack of oral sources.
Boediardjo added that the book would have been more credible if Anak Agung had interviewed people who were directly involved in the talks to obtain more accurate information.
"Some historical figures are still living now and are capable of providing necessary details," he remarked.
Noted historian Sudjati Djiwandono, however, maintained that the book is worth reading, especially for the younger generation.
"Every writer has his own interpretation. Many history books reveal different versions of one important event, " Sudjati said.
Born on July 24, l921, as a crown prince of the former Gianyar royal family, Anak Agung was active in Indonesian political fora during the early period of Indonesia's independence. He was elected as prime minister of Negara Indonesia Timur (East Indonesia State) in December l947.
In l953, Anak Agung served as Indonesian ambassador to Belgium. From the middle of l953 to l955, he was posted in France. He also held several other important positions, including as foreign minister during the Boerhanoedin cabinet in l955-l956.
Anak Agung is also known as a prolific writer. Among his works are Twenty Years of Indonesian Foreign Policy l945-l965, Bali in the l9th Century, Surat Menyurat Hatta-Anak Agung, (Correspondence between (Mohammad) Hatta and Anak Agung), and Kenangan Masa Lampau: Zaman Kolonial Hindia Belanda dan Zaman Pendudukan Jepang di Bali, (Reminiscence of the Past: the Dutch Colonial Period and the Japanese Occupation of Bali) launched in April l994. (raw)