756D.00/10–1652: Telegram
No. 227
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Department of State
priority
708. Pass Secretary. Allison left Djakarta 16 October 8 a.m. in Djakarta Embassy plane for Singapore after two day stay. On 14 October Allison met with Embassy officers and visited government establishments. He called with Ambassador on Foreign Minister Mukarto as reported Embtel 688.1
On forenoon 15 October Allison and Ambassador called on Vice President. In p.m. Allison gave press conference. He and Ambassador were later received by President Sukarno. At Embassy reception evening 15th Allison met highest Indonesian officials, chiefs of diplomatic missions and leading US businessmen. Embassy dinner thereafter including Mukarto, Djuanda, Supomos and Darmasetiawans.
[Page 331]Hatta spoke principally of Indo needs for developing roads in Sumatra and improving water transport facilities particularly east Indo. He recommended Allison say nothing on US economic aid question at press conference. Both Allison and Guzzardi thought press conference at USIS went smoothly. Accounts thereof in Aneta and Antara reasonably accurate. Early editorial comment favorable.
Sukarno presented argument in favor US handling its Far Eastern policy separately from its Western European policy. He was pleased to note change of attitude on Tunisia. He solicited Allison’s help on Irian question. He said that way to win Indo friendship is through political support that touches their hearts. He said Indo must: (1) obtain freedom from union; (2) achieve recognized sovereignty over Irian; (3) send Netherlands military mission home; and (4) liberate itself from Netherlands economic and financial “bondage”.
Sukarno said Indo revolution or evolution, whichever you might call it, had not ended and that above steps are essential thereto. He said that if US, acting from its position of strength, should give public statement recognizing Indo claim to sovereignty over Irian, this would enable him make statements to Indo populace which would have far-reaching effects in achieving internal solidarity and security and in orienting sentiment of Indo toward US.