223. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State1
2533. Sukarno received me today and I initiated general discussion Indonesian situation pleading my own ignorance and desire to learn. Sukarno opened by asserting his strong desire that Indonesia be friendly toward US then launched into strong criticism US policy on West Irian pointing out that USSR provides strong public support but that he can not counter conviction by many Indonesians that US while claiming to be anti-colonial is not when she abstains in UN on West Irian. He asserted Indonesia only claiming what is rightfully hers. “In one speech I could turn Indonesia over to warm friendliness toward the US if I could state that US supports Indonesia’s claim to West Irian,” Sukarno said.
I was politely noncommittal on West Irian and turned conversation to Cabinet.2 Sukarno voluntarily raised charge of communism [Page 374] against Prijono3 and other members Cabinet (my telegram 25054). “Prijono is no communist. Left-winger yes, I am left-winger but I assure you I am not a communist. Neither is Hanafi5 nor Saleh.6 All left-wingers but not communists,” Sukarno repeated several times.
He said Cabinet’s relationship with Parliament would be normal and that Parliament could vote Cabinet out though he hoped it would not. He said new Cabinet position Ministry Inter-Indonesian Relations quite important. He said good deal discontent and misunderstanding in provinces over alleged mal-division state [garble] which required better liaison between center and provinces. Minister’s job would be to visit provinces, find out what they want, bring these points to attention Cabinet and return to provinces to inform them what practical and possible.
He said while Cabinet link with Parliament National Council would be link with people, Council would bring to Cabinet advice, based on knowledge feelings among people, which Cabinet could accept or reject. Council’s function purely advisory.
Sukarno stressed in discussion Cabinet his appointment “very good friend of US” in Prime Minister Djuanda.
Sukarno did not mention Hatta or territorial commanders though said he was distressed with Masjumi action expelling Minister Communications Noor.7
Other subjects discussion reported in following telegrams.8 Sukarno cordial, pointed and apparently self-assured amidst trouble around him. I was impressed with his immediate emphasis on West Irian issue which in large part was exactly same approach as made to me on visit here in 1952.9
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/4–1157. Confidential. Repeated to The Hague and Canberra.↩
- A new Cabinet, selected by Sukarno and headed by Djuanda Kwartawidjaja, assumed office on April 9.↩
- Minister of Education and Culture.↩
- Dated April 9, not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 756D.13/4–957)↩
- A.M. Hanafi, Minister without Portfolio for Mobilization of People’s Energies for Development.↩
- Chairul Saleh, Minister without Portfolio for Veterans’ Affairs.↩
- Pangeran Noor, Minister of Public Works and Power in the new Cabinet.↩
- Telegram 2535 from Djakarta, April 11, reported that Allison had expressed concern about the safety of Americans in Sumatra and that Sukarno had assured him of the Indonesian Government’s concern for their safety. (Department of State, Central Files, 256D.1122/4–1157) Telegram 2537 from Djakarta, April 11, reported that Sukarno, recalling that during his visit to Washington he had invited President Eisenhower to visit Indonesia, had again expressed the hope that Eisenhower could do so. Allison had given him no encouragement, but commented to the Department that such a visit, although he realized it was probably impossible, would be of “inestimable value”. (Ibid., 711.11–EI/4–1157) A letter of May 7 from Eisenhower to Sukarno expressed regret that the President was unable to accept the invitation. (Ibid., Presidential Correspondence: Lot 64 D 174)↩
- Allison, then Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs, visited Indonesia October 14–16, 1952.↩