Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Southeast Asia, Volume XXII

126. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State¹

Djakarta, December 20, 1955—4 p.m.

1447. No distribution outside Department. I believe Secretary’s visit (Deptel 1005²) would be desirable. While there were excellent reasons why I felt Secretary should not call here early this year,³ I believe visit now opportune particularly as Indonesia only Southeast Asian nation including Burma, which Secretary has not visited. Vice President Nixon’s visit 1953⁴ was extremely useful and time has now arrived to have another high-ranking official visit Indonesia. There was keen disappointment in Foreign Office when it became necessary cancel visit of Under Secretary Hoover 2 months ago.⁵

In making recommendation I believe we will want review situation again immediately prior Secretary’s possible visit in light of the then existing political situation. While I consider it likely present government will remain in power until new Parliament installed (which should be some time in April) President does have theoretical power to dissolve Parliament which presumably would turn out Harahap government. In addition there is always possibility that government might fall on flare-up such as current Air Force affair.⁶

In drafting my telegram 1319⁷ I had hoped it might have been possible utilize invitation to U.S. to remove Sukarno from Indonesia scene at possibly critical moment in negotiations for formation Cabinet based on newly elected Parliament. But in view time element involved I recognize this may not be practical. I continue believe that Sukarno should be invited to United States. My present belief, which subject review in light subsequent developments, is that if invitation is to be extended there is considerable advantage in having it extended by Secretary during his visit here.

Whether Sukarno would accept invitation is matter conjecture. He has of course made visits to neighboring countries (India, Burma, Philippines) and last summer Egypt and Arabia. Press has reported but there is no confirmation that he accepted invitation visit New Zealand. An additional factor which warrants consideration is that Sukarno (and this view may well be shared by many important leaders of many parties), should he visit United States or United Kingdom but particularly former, may feel constrained to balance such visit with call on USSR. But I sense that part, at least, of Indonesian coyness, as expressed in some way in its “independent foreign policy” stems from lack knowledge of some its leaders of world. For example, Ali is only ranking Indonesian who has visited China. I believe we might well derive considerable benefit from having Sukarno make personal comparison between Russia and United States. In this connection I might note that Hatta (Embtel 1424⁸) lightly suggested in passing he would be unable absent himself from Indonesia “until after Constituent Assembly finished”, presumably matter of at least six months to year.

As to appropriate date if he accepts, I believe he might not want to be absent from Indonesia at date installation newly elected Parliament (presumably April). Almost anytime thereafter I should think might be acceptable to him provided he could be in Indonesia for celebration August 17 national holiday.

Cumming

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110.11–DU/12–2055. Confidential.
2. Telegram 1005 to Djakarta, December 13, reported that Secretary Dulles was considering making brief visits to several Asian capitals following his attendance at a SEATO Council meeting in Karachi in March 1956 and requested Cumming’s views on a visit to Djakarta at that time to extend an invitation to Sukarno to visit the United States. (Ibid., 110.11–DU/12–1355)
3. Dulles visited several Southeast Asian countries in February and March following a SEATO Council meeting in Bangkok. In telegram 1203 from Djakarta, January 24, Cumming had recommended against a visit to Indonesia on the ground that it would be exploited to enhance the prestige of the Ali government. (Ibid., 110.11–DU/1–2455)
4. Vice President Richard M. Nixon visited Indonesia in October 1953.
5. Under Secretary Hoover was scheduled to visit Indonesia in October 1955 in the course of a trip through the Far East, but the visit was cancelled when it became necessary for him to return to Washington ahead of schedule because of the Secretary’s absence.
6. The Air Force Chief of Staff, Commodore Suryadarma, resigned on December 13 in protest against the Harahap government’s appointment of a new Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Vice Commodore Sujono, but President Sukarno had not accepted Suryadarma’s resignation. On December 14, the installation ceremony for Sujono had been disrupted by a group of Air Force personnel.
7. Document 124.
8. Telegram 1424 from Djakarta, December 17, reported a conversation with Hatta concerning the Air Force incident. (Department of State, Central Files, 756D.5/12–1755)