Office of the Historian

289. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Murrow) to Secretary of State Rusk0

Washington, September 14, 1962.

SUBJECT

  • U.S. Policy Toward Indonesia (Reference National Security Action Memorandum No.179)1

This statement is submitted for the record in confirmation of papers and comments made available to your working group during the past three weeks.

The Agency has reviewed USIS programs in Indonesia and considered what further actions might be useful. The following actions are contemplated if the local environment permits:

1.
Civic Action: Under the Country Team, advise and counsel appropriate elements of the Indonesian Armed Forces on public relations/psychological programs the latter should undertake. Principal aim would be to enhance the public image of the armed forces as civic [Page 632] action innovators. USIS informational output (magazines, motion pictures, photo exhibits, etc.) would help tell the story, of course.
2.
Youth: Increase, across the board, USIS activities focussed toward the young men and women of Indonesia. At least one American USIS officer will devote full time to this pursuit; but all officers will be involved to varying degrees.
3.
Americana: Earnest, persistent efforts will be made to establish “chairs” in American studies at the larger universities of Indonesia. Paul Neilson2 already has enlisted the support of Indonesian Ambassador Zain toward this end. The Ambassador also has pledged to support efforts to get additional books on American political thought, economic system, etc., into Indonesia, especially into the hands of students. In both efforts (more books, establish “chairs” of American studies), private foundations are to be encouraged to assist.
4.
USIS Branches: Open additional outlets for USIS, especially in outlying regions. These probably will be no more than “reading rooms” at the outset.
5.
Travel: Keep as many USIS Americans “on the road” regularly or as circumstances and difficult transportation methods will permit. The aim is to develop the widest personal contact with military commanders, territorial and regional officers, teachers and youth groups.

USIS Indonesia and IAF Washington should support the following actions by other U.S. government agencies:

1.
Establish a Peace Corps unit in Indonesia, particularly stressing the teaching of English.
2.
Support the Department of State’s projected expansion of the educational exchange program, with special attention to youth, sports and labor.
3.
Support the Embassy’s proposal to use PL-480 and IMG-generated rupiahs to establish a National Science Academy and a National Sports Academy.

Caution: The time is propitious for a new and better relationship with Indonesia, but many problems remain. First and foremost, Sukarno’s “cult of personality” will continue to be the dominating factor in U.S.-Indonesian relations. Second, the alarming economic deterioration will be the principal factor affecting Indonesian actions for a long time to come. Third, any actions the U.S. undertakes in furtherance of better relations with Indonesia must be pegged to a real understanding of and a demonstrated respect for Indonesia’s neutral stance. Fourth, “patient persistence” should be the key attitude of all Americans involved, on the scene and here in Washington; we should refrain from glamorous, immediate-impact actions. Fifth, the communist bloc “ain’t going to [Page 633] take this lying down” and we should be prepared for a long, intense struggle.

E.R. Murrow
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.98/9–1462. Secret.↩
  2. Document 287.↩
  3. Counselor and Public Affairs Officer at the Embassy in Djakarta.↩