Djakarta Embassy File: Lot 59 F 208, Box 507
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Chief of Police, Republic of Indonesia (Sukanto)
Dear General Sukanto: With reference to your memorandum of September 241 concerning an extension of the training program for certain members of the Indonesian National Police, the United States Government regrets that it is not possible for the training program to be continued on the same basis as formerly, that is, through the sending of groups of police officers to the United States for formal police indoctrination and training.
However, because of the United States Government’s gratification at the vigorous measures which have recently been taken by the Indonesian Government, and particularly its security forces, to apprehend dissident elements, and because of the very real progress being made by the Indonesian Civil Police, it is believed that some extension of United States assistance, in the form of technical and professional training to Indonesian Police and Security officers would be mutually beneficial to our two governments. Accordingly, the United States [Page 757] Government is prepared to consider the training, on a limited basis and over a period of time, of a few selected officers in highly specialized fields, particularly of a technical nature, and primarily in internal security and intelligence techniques of the nature requested in paragraph (d) of your memorandum. The emphasis in this program would be to select carefully the individuals to be given the initial instruction to insure that they will be in the best possible position to accomplish further training among the Indonesians. This training will be carried on in Indonesia and in the United States, depending upon the individual requirements and available facilities. It is expected that these officers, after their own training, would engage in instructional and training activities rather than in actual operations or in the performance of police functions.
In order to initiate this specialized instruction program, it is proposed to select two officers to begin a course in the spring of 1952. The experience gained in the training of these first two officers, particularly the subjects which are found to be most useful and appropriate and the amount of instruction required and absorbed, will permit a judgment as to the mutual benefit to our two Governments to be derived from further training of this kind, and will serve as a guide to the development of courses for additional officers to be selected.
I am prepared to name an officer on my staff to be responsible for working with the Indonesian Government in the matter of selecting trainees, the development of training courses suited to the individuals selected, and the carrying out of other functions designed to assist in the furtherance of this program.
Very truly yours,