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

756D.00/10–2252: Telegram

No. 232
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Department of State

secret
priority

Djakarta, October 22, 1952—4 p.m.

769. President Sukarno called me to Palace this forenoon for final visit before my departure on leave. He was calm and in good spirits, but tired from his exertions during recent crisis following his heavy travel schedule of past weeks.

President told me “mob” which appeared at Palace on 17 Oct was made up of three elements:

(1) Young army officers and civilians either belonging to PSI or influenced thereby;

(2) Murba members and sympathizers;

(3) Individuals such as Mustopo who advocated dictatorship by Sukarno. President said magic word he used to quell demonstration was “Irian.” He stated to crowd Indo revolution not ended and mentioned Irian problem in particular. He said that still remains the issue which if solved satisfactorily can give great strength to his govt and contribute importantly to security and peace this Archipelago.

President said that while Sultan of Djogjakarta is human being and sometimes influenced by his friends, including such Socialists as Budiardjo,¹ he is absolutely loyal to country and to President. Sukarno expressed his genuine respect and affection for Sultan and was disturbed over press stories from London and Neth to effect recent incident came from differences between President and Sultan. President said future calm depends whether young PSI army officers cause further trouble.

Sukarno thought Wilopo made good speech last night (see Embtel 765)² and is satisfied Wilopo will endeavor work effectively in best interests state, retaining present Cabinet intact. President wld not commit himself as to whether he expected Parl to stay in recess until elections or as to what extent govt business wld be handled by decrees, with confirmation thereof to be sought from present or future Parl.

Pres much interested in UNGA and said change in Amer attitude towards Tunisian question has had excellent influence and reaction Indo. I told him our position on Morocco wld be similar to that taken on Tunis (see Depcirtel Oct 13).³

Cochran

1. Ali Budiardjo, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense.
2. Telegram 765, Oct 22, reported on a brief radio address by Prime Minister Wilopo in which he gave the official version of the events of Oct. 17 and said that the atmosphere in Djakarta had gradually returned to normal. (756D.00/10–2252)
3. Not printed.