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

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

Djakarta, January 6, 1956—5 p.m.

1573. In course courtesy call on Acting Foreign Minister (who is also Prime Minister) this morning he stated Dutch-Indo talks not going smoothly and outcome still uncertain. Indo Government still hopeful Dutch will find it possible agree on points 1 and 2 of agenda.² If delegation comes back empty handed Foreign Minister fears Dutch-Indo relations will deteriorate seriously and that opposition will seek foment anti-Dutch feeling.

Reference West Irian he stated Indonesians understand position present Dutch Government but hoped Dutch would agree to discuss “transfer of sovereignty” at some future date. He stated this would postpone issue until after Dutch forthcoming elections but would not be intended to postpone it indefinitely. Foreign Minister stated he had today received report from Ambassador Mukarto on his talk with Assistant Secretary Robertson, Ambassador Cumming, and Ken Young.³ He read to me in confidence statement Ambassador Mukarto made to group on Indo feeling on West Irian issue and reiterated that it is a national rather than partisan question and that no Indo Government no matter what its construction can afford to take any other stand.

Foreign Minister commented on difficulties he encounters in dealing with NU and PSII. Both parties, however, agree with Cabinet’s position in Dutch-Indo talks except that both want “make haste”. Should some agreement come out of negotiations both parties according Foreign Minister will support decision.

Foreign Minister stated government understands fully U.S. position on West Irian. Government still hopeful, however, U.S. Government will find it possible influence Dutch come some agreement on items of agenda other than West Irian so that Indo Delegation will not return empty handed.⁴

Mein

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 656.56D13/1–656. Confidential. Repeated to The Hague.
2. See footnote 4, Document 122.
3. On January 3, Moekarto had given Robertson a memorandum noting the points of difference existing in the Dutch-Indonesian negotiations and had asked for U.S. assistance to ensure a “favorable direction” to the negotiations; he had made a similar plea in a conversation on the same day with Cumming and Young. The conversations are recorded in memoranda by Haring, dated January 3, both in Department of State, Central File 656.56D13/1–356.
4. The Dutch-Indonesian negotiations at Geneva were recessed on January 7. Mein reported in telegram 1613 from Djakarta, January 11, that leaders of all moderate non-Communist political elements had told the Embassy that unless the Cabinet obtained an agreement to discuss West Irian at some unspecified future date, the proponents of reason in matters of foreign relations would receive a setback and the proponents of more strident tactics would be strengthened. He concluded with the comment that “we may be facing last opportunity for next several years to strengthen hands of moderates and conversely to weaken position extremists.” (Ibid., 656.56D13/1–1156)