501.BC Indonesia/6–849: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia 1
316. Usgoc 377. Sukanto called Dept June 6 to present fol memo to Secy:
[Page 417]“On behalf Vice Pres Repub Indonesia Hatta have honor call attn fol matter. Realizing importance consolidating our internal policy and determined maintain law order in interior by means civil organ of Govt, Repub police, we found we were handicapped in functioning efficiently due lack or shortage transportation and communication equipment as well as armament. Was necessary improve this condition to meet emergency of situation.
For this reason Hatta sent me, R. Said Soekanto, Chief Repub State Police, ‘unofficially’ to US ‘to study police matters’. Underlying purpose however was to appeal to State Dept for equipment and police armament in order strengthen Indo Repub Police.
On arriving US beginning Oct 1948, 1 informed Lacy at State Dept of my mission but because of unfortunate political developments Indonesia and finally ‘second Dutch police action’ I found it impossible accomplish anything. Since then due to results Premier Nehru’s Asian Conf and developments of UN SC discussions on Indo question, improvements appear to have been made.
As expressed in enclosed translated letter from Hatta reed May 3, I am ordered appeal officially for police armament and equipment for not less than 10,000 men.
Strong police force more than ever necessary moment Repub reestablishes authority and duty. Equipment for not less than 50,000 men will be required for entire Repub territory. On May 17 I again approached Lacy and Ogburn concerning this matter.
Advance of Commies in China and serious intention of Repub to combat this destructive movement (as has already been proven in Madiun affair last year) makes presence of strong police force ‘conditio sine qua non’ for restoring peace and maintaining law order in our country.
Hatta sincerely hopes obtain material and financial assistance for Indo Repub from US and it my duty transmit his appeal to highest authority. I await your answer.”
Dept officers had explained on previous occasion when similar request discussed with Sukanto that in view status negots and May 7 agreement US unlikely supply arms to Repub; that US would consider arms assistance to USI; that Dept keenly aware problem facing Repub reducing Commies and other extremists after restoration Jogja; and that Dept considered Neth obligated under May 7 agreement to supply police equipment requisite preservation law and order Repub-controlled territories. Dept officers this occasion recapitulated foregoing, adding that Cochran had advised Dept that he considered Neth obligated to supply requisite police equipment and that Neth had already agreed transfer 500 jeeps, uniforms etc and that discussion transfer arms to Repub police force now proceeding satisfactorily.
Sukanto, particularly anti-Commie, appeared believe he had recd responsive reply but expressed great anxiety lest Repub police force prove unequal to task because of inadequate equipment.
[Page 418]Sukanto stated frankly he feared Hatta unaware difficulties his position here and his efforts secure arms from US. Dept officers suggested possibility that Cochran could make appropriate reply [to] memo quoted above to Hatta referring favorably Sukanto’s efforts Wash. Sukanto grateful.
For ur secret info, Sukanto has been conferring past six months with Amer police officials chosen by appropriate agencies US Govt. He plans proceed Italy latter June to study anti-Commie operations of Carabinieri, returning meet Hatta at Hague in July.
Dept officers have high opinion Sukanto’s ability, reliability and determination crush Commies Indonesia.
- Repeated as 490 to The Hague.↩