501.BC Indonesia/2–2548: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
urgent
163. Gocus No. 162. Captain MacNeil, US Military Observer, and Major Rousset, French Marine Military Observer, returned Batavia from Djambi area (in Republic territory) with urgent information as follows:
Djambi area and oil fields are under control Communist leaders supported by Communist union of oil field workers and presumably financed by smuggling trade in oil and rubber with Singapore. Colonel Abundjani, local TNI commander, states he cannot control oil fields or “organized peoples forces”, which is apparently militant arm of Communists in area, and that there are disaffections among his officers and men. Apparently he also lacks control over his “political advisers”. Communist symbols and slogans much in evidence in area, especially “better in flames than be colonized”. Military Observers, restrained from visiting many areas, in one case physically by TNI officer, and allowed [Page 106] see only two oil wells. According reports received by Military Observers, fields are prepared for demolition. MacNeil states that oil, which is parafine base, is under tremendous pressure, and that for complete destruction fields it necessary only to blow tops wells, releasing 330 gushers which could be ignited with match. Principal areas included are Kenaliassam, Tembino and Bedjoebang, all in neighborhood Djambi.
Abundjani states he would be willing allow Dutch return and work fields under Republic Government but that under circumstances he sending his family to Bukitinggi.
Above information conveyed so far only to USDel and Colonel Morizon, senior French Military Observer.
More to follow.1
- Telegram 169, February 27, 8 a. m., from Batavia (not printed), reported consultation with Netherlands and Indonesian authorities. The Department commended the action taken (telegram 86, March 1, 7 p. m., to Batavia). (501.BC Indonesia/2–2748, 3–148)↩