756C.00/2–2950: Telegram
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Secretary of State
857. Pringgo Digdo, Chief of President’s Cabinet, came my home 1 p. m., December 29, his request. He told me he had, at President’s instruction, addressed letter to PriMin Natsir including two points (1) in Sukarno’s opinion Netherlands-Indonesian union should be dissolved following deadlock in Hague NNG negotiations, (2) Sukarno could not serve as President of a sovereign state belonging to a union in which one state occupied other’s territory illegally.
Pringgo said Natsir had talked with Sukarno night 28th re this letter but had been unable shake Sukarno’s determination to carry out threat of resigning if union is not dissolved. Pringgo himself had argued with President to no avail. He said absolutely hopeless for anyone to try to change President’s mind, on subject of NNG to which he has given so much attention and on which he has spoken so firmly.
I asked Pringgo if he thought Natsir Government would act to dissolve union. He replied that if this government did not, its successor would. Pringgo thought successor government would be one headed by PNI and include Leftist parties.
Pringgo said further that President had not intimated to government, but had let Pringgo know that if he cannot obtain dissolution of union through government, he will communicate directly with Parliament, seeking action by that body toward desired end. Pringgo said union had become increasingly unpopular through chain of events in ’50 and quite probably Parliament would act in favor dissolving union if and when question reaches that body. Pringgo added that even some of original supporters of union have weakened in their faith therein, as result Netherlands mistakes on such matters as Westerling, Makassar, Ambon, and NNG. Some of them would still like to preserve union, at least until Netherlands may be given further opportunity to yield on NNG. There are, of course, many who sincerely hope union can be perpetuated. Some of least ardently [Page 1100] want to get most they can out of it, that is, use threatened dissolution as bargaining weapon in acquiring NNG and perhaps other advantages. Pringgo did not answer my question as to how dissolution of union would solve NNG question to Indonesians’ satisfaction.
Pringgo said President, well as members of Cabinet, have been happy at position taken by most Netherlands residents of Indonesia on latter’s side with respect NNG problem. He insisted government is taking even more vigorous measures than most of us know to keep down incidents at this critical time and to protect lives and property of Netherlanders, well as other foreigners.
President is receiving Chiefs of Mission and Cabinet members forenoon January 1st. I asked Pringgo if he thought I should see President separately. He said I should within day or two after January 1st and that he would seek the appointment. I told him I would not however intercede between President and his government.