Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 2

756C.00/2–1252: Telegram

No. 185
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Department of State

confidential
priority

Djakarta, February 12, 1952—11 a.m.

1168. Hayes came to see me 5 p.m., 11th. Asked if Indo Govt had requested release from certain MSA assurances. I asked in turn if he had talked recently with any Indo Govt official in regard necessity Indo complying only with para 511 (b) Mutual Security Act in order remain eligible for econ aid.

Hayes said Marmora (from North Amer Desk in FonOff) had come to his office Friday morn 8th with excuse he had been obliged give up his copy of act, and wanted Hayes explain certain provisions from his own copy. Hayes said he did go over certain provisions of act, with copy before them, and explained inter alia how econ aid cld be given if only 511 (b) assurances provided.

I reminded Hayes I had been most unhappy on Jan 29 to learn from him that Hawkins¹ had given copy of act to press correspondent along with an interview, the two of which provided basis for much of attack against govt. I said this had been in violation my request made several weeks before that ECA shld observe strict moratorium on publicity while I had several negots under way. I reminded him further that on Feb 5 he had expressed to me his concern lest assurances I had obtained might embarrass govt. I said I recalled he had argued then, as he had many times previously with me, in favor of our asking Indo only for 511 (b) assurances.

I had beseeched Hayes leave matter of negotiation to my judgment. I had said any initiative for weaker assurances wld have to come from Indos. I had reminded Hayes that if we had only 511 (b) assurances it wld be necessary Indo pay on portion yet to be delivered of assistance granted mobile constabulary. I told him top secretly our Mil Attachés had been approached frequently and feverishly past few weeks by officers of Indo Armed Services almost begging for some arrangement that wld provide them with much needed ammunition and arms in their difficult campaign against insurrectionists Central Java and renegades and religious fanatics West Java. I had told him I thought we were right in these circumstances in doing best to get agreement accepted by Indo Govt which wld not oblige raising of question re original police equip agreement, and wld permit any type of mil aid being given in future emergency. I was aware 511 (a) assurances not requisite to reimbursable aid. At same time, I knew certain undertakings wld be required for reimbursable aid which Indo Govts in past have been reluctant to give.

Above all, I reminded Hayes I had told him, when I was so struck with his insistence on 511 (b), that if I heard of anyone on US Govt payroll in Indo advising or suggesting or in any way contributing to thinking of Indo Govt toward seeking release from assurances which I had obtained, I wld ask that person’s immediate withdrawal from Indo. I told him his statement to Marmora had now come back to me in manner which indicated his expression on this contentious issue had contributed to strengthening of opposition to govt and consequently might be contributing also to fall of Sukiman govt. Hayes ridiculed idea this cld be true. He admitted Marmora had visited him just prior to going to mtg of Coordinating Comite for foreign aid on Friday. Makatita (close friend of Sumitro²) cld have obtained his info there (see Embtel 1165).³ Again Hayes defended his right to answer questions with respect to act of Congress under which his office operating. I told him I had tried repeatedly impress upon him I was responsible for negotiation and any explanations thereunder.

I recalled I had most positively requested him and others on staff leave any pertinent negots to me, to refer anyone wanting know Indo position to Indo Govt, and to let Washington decide any final issues. I had furthermore instructed him and others on my staff, incl USIS, to make no copies of act avail to anyone in present crisis. I explained Indo Govt had been duly provided therewith. I said readers of act not familiar with agreement which Subardjo and I had negotiated wld not know Indo Govt had in such agreement been released from most objectionable provisions thereof, from Indo viewpoint. We shld not, however, anticipate Indo official explanations by ourselves telling this to anyone.

Cochran

1. Everett D. Hawkins, Program Planning Officer, ECA Mission in Indonesia.
2. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, former Minister of Trade and Industry and a member of the PSI.
3. Supra.