Dutch rule caused pain: Beatrix

Dutch rule caused pain: Beatrix

JAKARTA (JP): Queen Beatrix yesterday acknowledged the great
pain and suffering inflicted on the Indonesian people by Dutch
colonial rule, but she stopped short of an explicit apology or a
recognition of 1945 as the year of Indonesia's independence.

"The opening and economic exploitation of this area
indubitably brought painful consequences to the Indonesian people
of that time," Beatrix said of the Dutch colonization which began
in the 17th century.

"In our country there was a belief that colonial management
was beneficial to both sides. The belief was so widespread that
there was little awareness of the strong aspiration for freedom
which was growing amongst the Indonesian people," she said in her
address before President Soeharto during a banquet at the Merdeka
Palace last night.

Beatrix arrived here yesterday morning for an 11-day tour of
Indonesia. Her arrival is the first time in 14-years that a Dutch
monarch has visited Indonesia.

She is accompanied by her husband Prince Claus, her son and
Crown Prince William Alexander, several cabinet ministers and a
delegation which includes a large business contingent of over 60
persons.

Her arrival comes amid great controversy in the Netherlands as
Dutch veterans who fought here to restore colonial rule following
World War II argue that her visit, originally scheduled for Aug.
17, would amount to a recognition of the 1945 Indonesian
Proclamation of Independence.

At the same time, various groups in Indonesia, particularly
veterans' groups, are calling for an apology for the pain
inflicted by Dutch colonial rule here along with a formal
recognition of 1945 as the year in which Indonesia gained
independence.

Indonesia was a Dutch colony for nearly three-and-a-half
centuries until nationalist leaders proclaimed independence in
1945 following the Japanese surrender to Allied forces.

However, Dutch forces returned to Indonesia in an attempt to
re-impose colonial rule. After a long and hard-fought military
and diplomatic campaign, the Dutch government formally recognized
Indonesia's sovereignty in 1949.

Indonesian veterans' groups, such as the Foundation for the
Defense of the Homeland, along with community figures Frans Seda
and S.K. Tri Murti, have made an open appeal to Beatrix that she
recognize 1945 as the year in which the Indonesian state was
born.

Beatrix said that, just prior to 1945, her grandmother, Queen
Wilhemina, had asserted in a speech that there was a need to form
a new basis of the relationship between Holland and the colony
that is now Indonesia. However, Beatrix said, there were
differences of opinion as to the form that the new relationship
would take.

"Because of that, the separation between the two states became
a long process which brought about much suffering and a bitter
struggle.

"Looking back at that time...we feel very sad because so many
people died in that struggle or had a life-long injury inflicted
upon them," she said.

President Soeharto in his speech did not dwell on the bitter
struggle between Dutch and Indonesian forces.

He said that, just as the Netherlands extols its heroes, such
as Prince Williem van Oranje, Indonesia also remembers its
heroes, including those who fought against the Dutch.

"Our cemeteries throughout the country are filled with heroes
who died to seize and defend independence," said Soeharto, who
himself is regarded as a war hero of the fight against the Dutch.

The President noted that, as two independent states, both
countries should respect each other's sovereignty.

"All nations must develop their relationship on the basis of
respect for sovereignty, non-interference in domestic matters,"
he said.

In 1992 Jakarta rejected all Dutch aid in response to
perceived meddling by Dutch officials in Indonesia's domestic
affairs.

"We have both learned from the past for the good of a new
relationship in the future based on new foundations and
objectives," Soeharto remarked, without directly referring to the
1992 incident.

Beatrix similarly made no mention of the events of 1992, but
said that, despite cultural differences and a respect for
sovereignty, both countries should talk about the question of
rights.

"This doesn't mean we cannot communicate about basic rights
and values which have been defined by members of the United
Nations," she said.

Beatrix added: "Those things are a natural element in inter-
state dialog, including between Indonesia and the Netherlands."

During her first day here yesterday, Beatrix visited the
Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at
the Menteng Pulo cemetery, where several thousand Dutch soldiers
are buried.

Today she will visit the Indonesia in Miniature Park and the
Taman Ismail Marzuki cultural center. In the evening she will
attend a reception at the Dutch Ambassador's residence to meet
the Dutch community here.

Tomorrow Beatrix is scheduled to leave for the next leg of her
visit, which will take her to Surabaya, East Java. (mds)