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

856D.00 TA/7–2152: Telegram

No. 209
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Department of State

secret
priority

Djakarta, July 21, 1952—1 p.m.

128. With ref Deptel 70¹ believe Andrews, Provinse and Williams will confirm upon their return US that (1) Amb and Emb staff are endeavoring seriously and conscientiously to preserve aid program for Indo on helpful basis and to free it from polit and other frictions, (2) that Hagberg and TCA staff are receiving full support and cooperation and (3) that entire org working concertedly toward achieving success in US relations with Indo. Last aim requires maintaining that degree of dignified self-respect and honorable conduct of relations expected of a great power, well as that unity of purpose and unquestioned loyalty that shld characterize any US rep abroad.

Understand explanations set forth in paras 1 and 2 of Deptel 95² and will await routine announcement FY ‘53 figure for Indo. Nothing lost in holding ‘53 program in abeyance for present since carrying out ‘52 commitments will require months and Indo Govt itself not presently in position, because of polit, budgetary and other problems, to press forward with either ‘53 aid program or utilization accumulated counterpart.

Assure Dept, with respect Deptel 83,³ that I have given Indo every proper clarification on priorities, eligibility for reimbursable aid and my readiness to forward promptly either previously suggested request for substitution 511b for 511a or more latterly conceived Zain “neutral” letter. Understand however that FonOff itself has advanced opposition to letter of Zain type, that he himself no longer pushing idea and that one Cabinet member has recently prepared paper in defense original 511a agreement. I cannot predict whether, how or when paper may be used.

Politically minded Indo officials and friends have advised Pelet Indos work out MSA–TCA problem in their own tortuous way and their own time. They thought Andrews and I with our supporting associates did everything last week that cld have been expected and that we were really helpful in clarifying Indo Govt understanding.

While I recommended July 1 as date by which we shld have requested definite commitment as to how Indos stood on ratification 1950 ECA bilateral, 511 assurances and transfer from MSA to TCA, I have not questioned Dept’s contrary decision. I sincerely trust Dept will in turn appreciate and respect my strong objection now to guiding Indo Govt to point of presenting it with a draft reply.

Wilopo Govt still insists 511a assurances given by Sukiman Govt valid. Both they and we know agreement this type can best serve their present and prospective needs. Difficulties of either sustaining or changing assurances realized on all sides. I cannot emphasize too strongly, however, that Indos wld regard as interference rather than as assistance another move on our part prior to their promised response to our earlier moves. Consequently I recommend that we wait quietly and patiently for them to make their own decisions.

Cochran

1. Document 207.
2. In telegram 95, July 18, the Department explained that the figure of $3.1 million for economic aid to Indonesia in fiscal year 1953 was tentative in the absence of any final decisions within the U.S. Government. Consequently any announcement of such a figure would be premature. (756D.5 MSP/7–1452)
3. Supra.