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)