Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

My telegram 35.

TRUCE PROPOSALS OF THE NETHERLANDS DELEGATION

That a stand fast and cease fire order be issued separately and
simultaneously by both parties immediately upon signing of this
agreement and to be fully effective within 48 hours. This order
will apply to troops of both parties along the boundary line of
areas described in the proclamation of the N.E.I. Government on
29th August [2] which shall be called the status quo line and in
areas specified in the following paragraph.
2. That in the first instance and for the time being,
demilitarized zones be established in general conformity with the
above mentioned status quo line; these zones as a rule will
comprise territories between the status quo line and, on the one
side, the line of Netherlands forward positions and, on the other
side, the line of Republic forward positions of 18th August, the
width of each of the zones being approximately the same.
3. That the establishment of demilitarized zone in no way
prejudices the rights, claims o[r] positions of the parties under
the resolutions of the Security Council of 1st, 25th and 26th
August and 1st November. [3]
4. That upon acceptance of the foregoing by both parties, the
Committee will place at the disposal of both parties its military
assistants who will be instructed to assume in the first instance
responsibility for determining whether any incident requires
enquiry by higher authorities of either or both parties.
5. That pending a political settlement, responsibility for
maintenance law and order and security of life and property in the
demilitarized zones will remain vested in civil police (footnote:
the term civil police does not exclude temporary use of military
personnel in the capacity of civil police, it being understood
that police forces will be under civil control), forces of the
respective parties. The Committee's military advisers will be
available to advise the appropriate authorities of the parties and
to serve in such other proper capacities as may be spoken. [4]
Among others they should(a) call upon pools of police officers
established by each party in its demilitarized zone to accompany
military assistants in their endeavours and moves throughout that
demilitarized zone.
(b) promote cooperation between the two police forces.
6. That trade and intercourse between all areas should be
permitted as far as possible; such restrictions as may be
necessary will be agreed upon by the parties with the assistance
of the Committee [and] its representatives if required.
7. That this agreement shall include all the following points
clearly agreed to in principle by the parties:
(a) To prohibit sabotage, intimidation and reprisals and other
activities of a similar nature against individuals, groups of
individuals and property including destruction of property of any
kind and by whomsoever owned, and to utilize every contingency at
their command to this end.
(b) To refrain from broadcasts or any other form of propaganda
aimed at provoking or disturbing troops and civilians.
(c) To initiate broadcasts and take measures to inform all troops
and civilians of the delicate situation and the necessity for
strict compliance with the provisions of sub (a) and (b).
(d) Full opportunity for observation by military officers. Council
to be assisted. [5]
(e) To cease immediately publication of a daily operational
communique, or any other information about military operations
unless by prior mutual agreement in writing except the weekly
publication of lists of individuals who have been killed, or have
died as a result of injuries.
(f) To accept the principle of release of prisoners by each party
and to commence discussions with a view to the most rapid and
convenient implementation thereof, the release in principle to be
without regard to [the nu]mber of prisoners held by either party.
8. That on acceptance of the foregoing, the Committee's military
assistants will immediately conduct enquiries to establish whether
the elements of the Republican Military Forces continue to offer
resistance behind the present positions of the Netherlands forces.
If enquiry establishes the existence of such forces these would
withdraw as set out in the following paragraph. These enquiries
and withdrawals are to be completed within a period of fourteen
days.
9. That all forces of each party in any area accepted as a
demilitarized zone or in any area on the other party's side of a
demilitarized zone will be under observation of military
assistants [of the] Committee and with arms and warlike equipment
move peacefully to territory on the party's own side of the
demilitarized zones.
10. This agreement shall be considered binding for a period of
fourteen days and will automatically be extended for further
periods of fourteen days unless one party notifies the Committee
of Good Offices and t[he] other party that it considers the truce
regulations are not being observed by the other party and that
this agreement should, therefore, be terminated.