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

756D.001/2–554: Telegram

No. 261
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cumming) to the Department of State

secret

Djakarta, February 5, 1954—3 p.m.

842. Deptel 607, January 29.¹ On February 3 I took up with Prime Minister subject matter reference telegram. Purpose of my call was to introduce Ambassador Donovan² as a courtesy but I had previously informed Prime Minister I also had some business to take up with him. After general conversation and taking up a few matters covered in separate telegram,³ I said that while I did not wish to give even the appearance of meddling in an internal Indonesian matter, my government had been concerned over the impression given by the attendance of high Indonesian Government officials that the government had placed the stamp of approval on the “National Peace Congress”. After listening to my summary of the facts, Prime Minister showing some emotion asked why I had taken the matter up with him rather than the Foreign Minister, thus implying a criticism of his government. He expressed “surprise” that in the light of our previous conversations I should assume his government was pro-Communist. He then launched into a rather fuzzy defense Indonesian “independent policy”, including reference to economic cost to Indonesia of support US embargo Red China, observing that no responsible government could let situation go on without doing something about it (while I may be wrong, I am inclined to believe that this observation was made for purposes of the record and not necessarily as a hint that Indonesia is about to breach the embargo).

I said that there was no intention of attacking his government; that I had taken matter up with him rather than Foreign Minister because I wanted to bring to his personal attention in the most friendly and informal way how official Indonesian participation in National Congress gave the appearance of approval of public criticisms, based on falsities of policies of the UN, US, and even the Indonesian Government; that the only reports available to me and to my government were Indonesian newspaper reports of the Congress and I hoped most sincerely that the reports were erroneous and that he could say something which would remove impression given by such reports. I said that if he was at all embarrassed by my taking the matter up with him I would be most happy, with his agreement, to take it up with the Foreign Minister instead. After some further references to the fact that there were no Communists in his government and that his government was not pro-Communist, he said that he could tell me, informally and personally, that his government did not agree with the various statements made at the National Congress. I said that I was very happy to hear this and asked if I might report his remarks to my government. He said that I might.

I felt throughout the conversation that Ali was very much on the defensive; he spoke with feeling and in a tone of controlled and hurt indignation but there something of the undertone of a small boy called to account for naughtiness. Much of what he said, I felt, was for the benefit of Ambassador Donovan, who was present.

During the conversation I gave him on plain paper headed “record of oral statement” a summary of what I had said to him, which he said he would like to retain even though I offered to retrieve it if in any way it would embarrass him.

I had a moment alone with Ali at the end of the conversation and expressed my satisfaction that he had been able to tell me, even though personally and informally, that his government had not approved of the statements at the National Congress; that I felt that the friendly personal relations between us demanded of me and my government that we let him know quite frankly how actions which might seem innocent to him impressed friendly countries abroad. When alone with him his manner was entirely friendly, and he repeated that “we must get together privately whenever my duties permit”.

As a footnote I wish to report that when I saw the Prime Minister yesterday evening at University of Indonesia anniversary celebration, he and his wife were most cordial in greeting me. I feel therefore that the démarche was useful.

Cumming

1. The introductory sentence of this telegram reads: “You are authorized in your discretion convey orally to Foreign or Prime Minister our surprise and concern that misrepresentation facts reflecting on UN as well as on policy Indonesian Government should go unrefuted at ‘National Congress’ attended and apparently supported by members Indonesian Government.” (756D.001/1–2754)
2. William J. Donovan, U.S. Ambassador in Thailand.
3. Not printed.