756D.00/10–2052: Telegram
No. 229
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Department of State
priority
738. For S/S and FE only. Request Dept give only limited distribution to following inside story recent Indo political developments to protect Pringgo Digdo, President, Secretary and Chef de Cabinet, who called his request night 18 October to give me much of following information.
When Foreign Minister Mukarto dined with Allison and me night 15 Oct he said he had just finished 3½ hour session during which he and Prime Minister Wilopo had succeeded in persuading [Page 333] PNI withdraw Sophian and Kasimo motions1 (both in varying degrees directed against Defense Min), and then defeat Baharuddin motion (which would have expressed “non-confidence” in Defense Min), “leaving Parliament motionless” to quote Secretary General Darma’s observation when Mukarto concluded his account. However, after defeat Baharuddin motion Sophian motion passed (Embtel 711)2 because according my info PNI leaders such as Iska overruled decision of Mukarto-Wilopo group.
Pringgo told me and events support statement that passage Sophian motion was signal for army divisional commanders and others conferring Djakarta to plan strategy. This essentially nonpolitical group found itself unanimous in its support of Nasution, Simatupang3 and other top army officials, with only small number sympathetic to opposition led by Supeno and few other PNI partisans.
On night 16 October arrangements were made for bringing civilian demonstrators into Palace- Parliamentary area of Djakarta. Handbills, posters and signs were prepared and circulated. Pringgo said groups were gathered from Tandjungpriok and nearby town by young army officers as well as by Col Mustopo,4 Parmai [Partai?] Murba sympathizer and one-time guerrilla leader Republican movement. This accounts for close correlation between army and demonstrators (Embtel 727).5 According other sources Mustopo was asked by President to call off demonstration but could not because of short time available after President’s request. Mustopo has now resigned from army. Demonstration was carried out by rag-tag outfit including some leftists from Murba and Parmai [Partai?] groups but was not Commie inspired or controlled. Groups were moved into city in army trucks (Embtel 718)6 past outposts and patrols which would normally stop such night movements.
Demonstrators smashed Parl furniture (Embtel 718) and did some minor damage Foreign Office apparently under impression it was still Parl building. After speech to demonstrators by Sukarno and disbanding of demonstration, group of top army officers headed [Page 334] by Nasution appeared at Palace to present petition to Pres, Hatta, Wilopo, Simatupang called into witness. Written petition asked that: (1) Parl be dissolved; (2) Pres take over reins of govt; (3) Army officers guilty of giving military secrets to Parl be punished; (4) Loyal fighters for republic be protected and given redress against federalists who control two-thirds of Parliament; and (5) Petition be published.
According Pringgo scene was tearful with army leaders appealing Sukarno who they understood had at outset championed cause their PNI opponents. (Pres may have turned incident to his own advantage. At very time it was taking place there were tanks on side Palace with guns pointing toward it.) Pres said he did not desire become dictator, would take steps to correct situation, but would not give publicity to petition. This formal written document contained ref to “these demonstrations” which had taken place few minutes before.
Later in day several members Parliament placed under “protective arrest”. These included Moh Yamin (Embtel 734),7 former Prime Minister Sukiman, Kasman Singodimedjo (Masjumi), Babessa Daenglalo (PRN member who made violent anti-Sultan speeches in Parliament) and A. B. M. Jusuf (Labor Party). These men now released.
Detainees had sent letter of appeal to President on morning 18th. President called to Palace Parliament Acting Chairman Tambunan and two deputies. They said Parliament favored govt continuing in office. President asked that Parliamentary steering comite announce Parliament was going into recess and, at request of President, would so remain until unfixed date. Trio returned to their comite and came out with announcement ten days recess, but no reference to President request. He again emphasized seriousness of situation to trio and intimated release of their colleagues hinged on issue of announcement such as he had proposed. Steering Comite acquiesced.
President then sent Pringgo to inform Cabinet session of agreement with Parliament. Certain Ministers unhappy, with one threatening to resign, but all finally agreed to carry on. Pringgo then went to home of Sultan and informed him, who according Pringgo was much gratified and satisfied by President’s acts.
Press of Sunday morning nineteenth carried announcement which President had stipulated, “at request of President Sukarno Parliament recess announced earlier will continue for indefinite period, three vice chairmen of Parliament announced today (18th). [Page 335] Vice Chairmen are Tambunan, Tadjuddin Noor and Arudji Kartawinata”.
Pringgo assured me President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Sultan are now fully in accord, that Wilopo govt should carry on, Parliament stay recessed, army render loyal support, and elections be held as early as possible. Military commanders now returning their posts. Press 19th announced Mukarto will proceed GA 23d probably accompanied by Sukiman (newly freed from confinement) and Sidik.8 Likelihood is that Sophian motion will be forgotten. Cabinet will try get work done without Parliamentary interference, and army may be in mood for contemplated Dec sweeps against dissident elements.
Pringgo assured me Socialists had nothing to do with creation or org demonstration.
He said Sjahrir was thus far in ignorance of what was going on and was awaiting Pringgo’s arrival for fill-in.
As of this time city continues quiet with curfew from 2200–0500 hours. Press a.m. 20 October reports that two newspapers of Moh Diah (Merdeka and Berita Indo) as well as magazine (Madjallah Merdeka) which were closed down by police, now allowed reopen. Mimbar Indo owned by Wibisono and edited Moh Yamin, was also temporarily banned. Pringgo suspected certain PNI army officers might be under “protective arrest”.
- Both these motions called, among other things, for the establishment of a State Commission to inquire into the possibility of improvements in the Defense Ministry and the Armed Forces. The Sophian motion was considered stronger, as it implied that leaders of both structures might be dismissed. The Kasimo motion was not voted on in Parliament.↩
- Dated Oct. 16, not printed. The Baharuddin motion was defeated by a vote of 80 to 39, while the Sophian motion was passed by a vote of 91 to 54.↩
- Col. A. H. Nasution was Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army and Col. T. B. Simatupang was Acting Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.↩
- Head of the Army dental service.↩
- Dated Oct. 17, not printed.↩
- Dated Oct. 17, not printed.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Sidik Djojosukarto, Chairman of the PNI.↩