Dutch govt expresses regrets over killings in RI

Dutch govt expresses regrets over killings in RI

Veeramalla Anjaiah and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In a bid to close the black chapter in the history of
relations between the Netherlands and Indonesia forever, the
Dutch government finally expressed its regret for its "police
actions" which led to massive carnage and suffering in Indonesia
during the late 1940s.

The admission of past mistakes came from the visiting Dutch
Foreign Minister Bernard Bot on Tuesday during a reception to
mark 60 years of Indonesia's independence and the 60th
anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta. Bot
was the chief guest at the reception hosted by Minister of
Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda.

"In retrospect it is clear that its large-scale deployment of
military forces in 1947 put the Netherlands on the wrong side of
history. The fact that military action was taken and that many
people on both sides lost their lives or were wounded is a harsh
and bitter reality especially for you, the people of the Republic
of Indonesia," Bot, who was born in Batavia (the name for Jakarta
during Dutch rule), told the gathering.

"On behalf of the Dutch government I wish to express my
profound regret for all that suffering," said Bot, who arrived in
Jakarta on Tuesday and became the first Dutch minister on
Wednesday to attend Independence Day celebrations in Indonesia.

Bot said on Monday that the Dutch government had decided to
accept Aug. 17, 1945 as Indonesia's independence date instead of
Dec. 27, 1949, the day the Netherlands formally transferred its
sovereignty to Indonesia. Indonesia proclaimed its independence
on Aug. 17, 1945.

Indonesia welcomed Bot's remarks on Dutch's recognition of
Indonesia's independence date and expression of regret for the
lives lost and the suffering brought upon Indonesia.

"We should not look to the past but look forward, although
there are several points in the past that we should learn from.
It is a good signal and kindness on the part of our friends in
the Netherlands that they are willing to revise it," President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said after a ceremony commemorating the
country's independence on Wednesday.

Hassan echoed Susilo's view.

"We happily welcome this (Dutch acceptance). We take it as
recognition that we Indonesians became independent because we
decided to be independent and proclaimed it so," Hassan said.

Indonesia, according to Hassan, suffered more than 100,000
casualties, mostly young people. Thousands of Dutch soldiers also
perished in battle.

While responding to questions on a formal Dutch apology,
Susilo only said that he did not want to request such things as
it was too painful.

"I don't want to comment on that (apology). But for sure, the
decision shows the goodness of the Dutch to be willing to revise
history," he said.

Hassan said Indonesia had never asked for an apology.

"This is a matter that we have always left to their own
conscience."

As an adept diplomat, Bot evaded the issue of a formal apology
and said his expression of "profound regret" was accepted by
Indonesia.

"The Dutch government has morally and politically accepted
Indonesia. I also expressed regret for the violence. We should
not go into semantics. What is important is that we delivered a
message that has been very clearly received in this country and
has come straight from the heart," Bot said during the press
conference, which was held after the reception.

Due to the strong lobby of former Dutch soldiers, who lost
6,000 members during the war in Indonesia, the Dutch government
had been reluctant to change its stance on Indonesia.

On the question of compensation for the suffering of
Indonesian people, Bot said the Dutch government would not give
compensation.

"In place of compensation, The Netherlands has been helping in
Indonesia's development. We have been very active in
participating in developmental programs in Indonesia. We will
continue to do that in the future," Bot said.