Date: December 17, 2019
Subject: Your letter of 23 October (Objections regarding the research project “Independence, decolonization, violence and war in Indonesia 1945-1950)
Dear Mrs. Pattipilohy and Mr Pondaag,
Thank you for your letter of 23 October 2019 to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the study ‘Independence, Decolonization, Violence and War in Indonesia, 1945-1950’. I appreciate your great commitment to this topic.
We are aware of your objections regarding the outline of the research, also from your previous communication about this. On 31 January 2019, you were able to talk extensively to the directors of the research institutions that are involved to express your views. It is up to the research institutions whether they want to do something with your remarks. After all, as you know, the research is completely independent and is being carried out without government interference. It is therefore not up to the government to get involved in a discussion about research methodology.
In your letter you also ask attention for various legal cases. The Dutch State cannot comment on cases that are still in court.
I can, however, assure you that the budget for the research project ‘Independence, Decolonization, Violence and War in Indonesia, 1945-1950’ is not used for the NIMH investigation in court. As I understand the NIOD has explained this to you. The costs of the book translation of Mr. Limpach’s book and the travel costs of Mr. Limpach to promote his book [in Indonesia] are not included in the budget of the study and can therefore not be paid from this. For further questions about the budget of the independent research, I refer you to the NIOD.
Finally, you asked whether it is true that two people have been questioned by the Indonesian security service. We do not know anything about this. Unfortunately, I cannot inform you further about this.
Sincerely,
Karin Mössenlechner
Director Asia & Oceania Ministry of Foreign Affairs