756D.00/7–2650: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Indonesia
94. UP Djakarta reports 26th July “Foreign war ships taking part in UN operations against Commie North Korea were banned today from refueling, loading or being repaired in Indonesian ports.
[Page 1040]“The Maritime Commander of the Surabaya-naval base said in making the announcement that he was speaking on behalf of the Indonesian Govt which has adopted a neutral policy in the Korean conflict.”
This report fols UP dispatch from Rangoon as fols: “Indo’s Amb to India and Burma said today his Govt does not believe the Korean conflict will erupt into a world war. Amb Soedarsano said Indo was not supporting either side.”
Pls advise Dept soonest veracity these reports.
Needless to say these evidences of wrong-headedness on part Indonesian authorities seem to Dept quite indefensible. Dept fully understands necessity new uncertain Indo Govt maintaining neutrality within limits for reasonable length of time. However bemused it may be Indo Govt shld understand at this moment, (a) that in struggle between USSR and free world Indonesian choice is not only unavoidable but has been made; (b) at a moment when US and free world straining to support UN on field of battle Indo refusal to allow UN’s ships port privileges in Indonesia will be taken at worst as defection from UN and at best as aberration; (c) despite US policy not to use military and economic assistance programs as political weapons, continuation these tendencies may create situation in Congress and with US public opinion which will force USGovt to reconsider its assistance programs.
Upon determining degree to which press reports are based on fact you may at your discretion inform appropriate Indonesian authorities attitude USGovt as described foregoing. Until ur advice received Dept will take no action with Indo Emb Wash aside from expressing natural dismay and disbelief these reported attitudes in personal unofficial conversations officers Indo Emb.
It is this moment too early to assess effects these reports on Congress and US public opinion. It can be expected however that reactions will be at least as definite as those of Dept.1
- Ambassador Cochran responded to this message in three separate telegrams. In the first (telegram 117, July 27, not printed), he indicated that the Chief of Staff of the RUSI Navy had denied the report; in the second (telegram 127, July 28, not printed), he quoted a statement by the RUSI Information Minister on July 27 which indicated that since Indonesia was not a member of the United Nations it was not committed to follow the Security Council order on aid to Korea and any vessels intending to call at an Indonesian port should submit a request to the RUSI which would reply basing its position on the comity of nations: in the third (telegram 130, July 28, not printed). Cochran reported that he had discussed the reports with Hatta who said that the Minister of Information had correctly stated the position of the RUSI. With respect to the statement of the Indonesian Ambassador, Hatta indicated that his Government had not made or authorized such a statement and felt the Ambassador had been misquoted. (756.56356A/7–2750, 795B.00/7–2850, and 756D.00/7–2850)↩