Office of the Historian

206. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State1

Djakarta, January 29, 1957—5 p.m.

1863. Mytel 1834.2 My immediately following telegram3 contains Foreign Office translation of third person note dated January 104 handed me this morning by Secretary General Foreign Office. Translation has been verified by Embassy language officer. Original note will be sent first air pouch.

Subandrio made following oral comments: Paragraph numbered one omits reference to non-use military equipment for aggression as Indonesian government considers it somewhat lacking in dignity to set this forth in writing and believes point adequately covered by use of words “solely for legitimate national self-defense”.

Indonesian government prefers flat statement equipment would not be sold or otherwise disposed of to third parties. This is actual Indonesian intention and inclusion of words “without consent of US” at end paragraph numbered two would introduce a bilateral aspect which Indonesian Government desires avoid, bearing in mind fate of Cochran–Subardjo agreement.5

Wording paragraph numbered three designed to eliminate any suggestion that any new sales agreement that might be arrived at has any connection with Cochran–Subardjo agreement.

Subandrio considers note in this form contains unilateral assurances required by our law (Deptel 156) and asks that existence note be kept Top Secret until such time as two governments agree to disclosure if that should become necessary.

Subandrio suggests that if assurances are considered satisfactory preliminary contact be made between Embassy and Hidajat, Secretary General Ministry Defense (Embtel 6677) with detailed discussions to be carried on in Washington later.

[Page 349]

Subandrio said Mukarto would be informed today of delivery of note to me.

Cumming
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.56/1–2957. Secret; Limited Distribution.↩
  2. Supra.↩
  3. Telegram 1864 from Djakarta, January 29, not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 756D.56/1–2957)↩
  4. The note, sent to the Department in despatch 361 from Djakarta, January 29, stated that any weapons or other military equipment purchased by the Indonesian Government from the U.S. Government would be used solely for “legitimate national self-defense”, would not be sold or otherwise disposed of to third parties, and would not be subjected to any previous exchange of notes or any previous agreement between Indonesia and the United States. (Ibid., 756D.56/1–2957)↩
  5. See footnote 7, Document 116.↩
  6. Document 164.↩
  7. Document 178.↩