ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how the use of military force was compatible with general Dutch policy in the conflict with the Republic of Indonesia. To ascertain how the use of military force fitted into general Dutch policy in the conflict with the Republic of Indonesia, one must examine what tasks were allocated to the Dutch military force as part of this general policy. The military force was also intended to continue to give the Dutch leverage at the negotiating table and to serve as an alternative method, if needs be, to achieve the Dutch decolonization plan. Military force constituted an important policy instrument for the Netherlands during the decolonization conflict in Indonesia. It was used as a weapon at the negotiating table but also as a last resort for the Netherlands to gain control over the decolonization process and thus safeguard Dutch interests in Indonesia.
