756D.58/8–2753
No. 250
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for
International Security Affairs (Nash) to the Under Secretary of
State
Dear General Smith: I refer to your letter of 23 June 1953 to the Secretary of Defense concerning the request by the Ambassador [Page 371] of Indonesia that the United States Government explore the possibility of sending a military training mission to Indonesia. It was requested by the Department of State that the Department of Defense make a preparatory study of the feasibility, from the military viewpoint, of a military mission to Indonesia consisting of 200 United States officers and non-commissioned officers.
This matter was referred to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for their consideration. They have stated their belief that the establishment of the United States military mission to Indonesia would be in consonance with policy set forth in paragraph 17 of NSC 124/21 and such a mission would contribute materially to the organization and development of the armed forces of Indonesia and would facilitate the establishment of a more comprehensive military liaison than now exists between the two countries.
They stated further that although the desired composition of the mission has not yet been indicated, it is believed a mission of 200 would be too large, and that no commitment regarding size of the mission should be made at this time. It is felt that qualified personnel for a suitable mission can be made available and that approximately four months would be required for instruction and orientation of the personnel selected for assignment to the mission.
It is the opinion of the Department of Defense that the assignment of a United States mission to Indonesia is feasible from a military point of view.
Sincerely yours,
- See Part 1, p. 125.↩