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

856D.00 TA/10–652: Telegram

No. 222
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Department of State

secret
priority

Djakarta, October 6, 1952—4 p.m.

644. At his request I called on FonMin Mukarto 11 a.m. Oct 6. Econ officer Ismael was present. Mukarto referred to my informal memo of Sept 29 in which I submitted drafts of two notes (Embtel 620) in accordance with instrs contained Deptels 471 and 472.¹ Mukarto stated that Indo Govt desired adhere to its own drafts (reported in Embtel 584 and commented upon in Embtel 585).²

I explained that only differences between our two govts were over two paras legally required by US and that these provisions were not derived from section 511 of MSA Act, Mukarto replied PriMin Wilopo felt very strongly on this point and feared to submit to Parl, “for psychological reasons,” drafts which contain conditions similar to those included in exchange of notes of last Jan. In response to my explanation that Dept of State had yielded on one point after another to achieve agreement on aid program with Indo and was now only asking that minimum requirements established by US law be met, Mukarto insisted there was no possibility of changing Wilopo’s position. Mukarto said he wld not confirm this position in writing until he heard from me further.

Mukarto referred to fact he has postponed his departure for UNGA until Oct 15 because of threatened Cabinet crisis. I told him Allison’s schedule had been changed and that Asst Secy will arrive Djakarta evening 15th. Mukarto said he wld have to cancel his trip to US unless Cabinet situation is straightened out and that in any event he will endeavor delay departure to permit his receiving Allison. He promised let me know definite plans soon as possible.

Mukarto said Masjumi and PNI working on joint motion as substitute for motion calling for non-confidence in Defense Minister. This joint motion wld seek give Sultan opportunity retain position but accede to request for changes in his ministry and in army leadership. Mukarto said PriMin was discussing matter with Sultan in hope latter wld make some early statement which wld ease tension in Parl and permit govt retain Sultan and remain in power. Mukarto doubted success Wilopo’s efforts. He thinks that if Sultan leaves Cabinet, PSI members will also withdraw. Mukarto said that in this atmosphere Wilopo unwilling take action on MSA–TCA which he felt likely draw criticism of govt. I then asked if Wilopo wld be willing accept US drafts once crisis is passed. Mukarto said he was sure Wilopo wld not accept them later or in any circumstances since he wld fear attack from Sukiman group in Parl thereon. I told him I wld report promptly to my govt unwillingness Indo govt accept US drafts which include specific legal requirements.

Please see Embtels 645 and 646 on polit situation.³ I await instrs whether Dept: (1) is willing waive vestigial legal stipulations; (2) wants Indo govt informed immed that specific requirements cannot be waived; or (3) Dept wishes further talks suspended pending outcome of threatened Cabinet crisis.⁴

Cochran

1. Document 220 and supra, respectively. For text of telegram 620, see footnote 1, supra.
2. Document 219.
3. Telegrams 645 and 646, Oct 6, reported on the political crisis in Indonesia stemming from opposition between elements of the Army leadership and the Minister of Defense, the Sultan of Jogjakarta. (756D.00/10–652)
4. The Department sent an interim reply to telegram 644 on the next day indicating that the questions raised were being considered and asking for further analysis of the political situation. (Telegram 523, Oct. 7; 756D.00/10–652)