501.BC Indonesia/9–2048: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 20—12:52 p. m.]
810. Gocus 383. Following is government statement issued by Republic September 20 re Madiun affair “under auspices and leadership of former People’s Democratic Front, now in process of amalgamation into the Indo-Communist Party PKI, and through the use of a unit of the Republican Army in East Java, an assault was made on the government organs of Republic in the city of Madiun, on September 18, 1948, and a change has been effected in the regional administration there, in an illegal way by using armed force, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia is now taking steps by all means at its [Page 355] command to restore the legal authority and administration in the area involved. The entire population is asked to give its fullest support to the government for the sake of the well-being of the Republic of Indonesia. Jogjakarta, September 19, 1948”.
Following additional details have been issued by Republican Information Minister: “The persistent blockade and the malevolent agitation by the Dutch against the Republicans internationally, coupled with Dutch acts of aggression against the organs of the Republic, and against Republicans and their organizations within the Dutch-occupied areas of Indonesia, have created favorable circumstances for the reception of Communist agitation within the Republic, or, to be exact, for reception of agitation from section of some political parties all claiming Communist ideology. This is background of the Communist coup at Madiun, which seems to be part of the Moscow plan for Southeast Asia, and it has been propounded under the leadership of the newly arrived Muso. The Government of the Republic and the parties supporting the government, however, remain convinced that this Communist movement has, in fact, little support—on the contrary, much opposition—from the ordinary people. Its momentary local successes are only and exclusively contributable to the fact that it could coordinate its actions here, with the Dutch effort in Dutch-occupied and controlled territories to destroy the Republic and with the inactivity of the Security Council and its Committee of Good Offices. The Government of the Republic of Indonesia is determined to frustrate by all means available this policy of this particular group aimed at disorder and economic destruction. Strong measures are now being taken. The government is certain that, in the accomplishment of this task, it has the support of the overwhelming majority of the Indonesian people of all ranks”. Signed Cochran.