Office of the Historian

456D.009/6–151: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Indonesia

secret
Washington, June 1, 1951—7 p. m.

1327. Re final para urtel 1684, May 31.1 Dept suggests that you postpone discussion with Indo Govt of Kem Amendment for short time. We expect Amendment to become law near future and that Presidential statement will be made at that time.2

Acheson
  1. In telegram 1684 from Djakarta, May 31, Ambassador Cochran was asked by Mr. A. K. Pringgodigdo, President Sukarno’s (Secretary, to explain the UN embargo and the Kem Amendment to President Sukarno in such a fashion as to allow Indonesia to “save face.” The Ambassador indicated that he was willing to try if President Sukarno requested an explanation. (756D.00/5–3151)↩
  2. In telegram Ecato 340 to Djakarta, June 4, the Embassy was informed that President Truman on June 2, had said the following with regard to the Kem Amendment: “I think it likely that NSC will find it necessary to make exceptions on a broad scale until the Congress has an opportunity to give this matter further consideration.” The Embassy was also told that the plan at that time was for all aid recipients to get blanket exceptions from the amendment from the National Security Council until definite procedures could be worked out. Moreover, the NSC would soon make a country evaluation for Indonesia to ascertain if the Kem Amendment should apply to Indonesia. (400.009/6–451)↩