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

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

Djakarta, January 24, 1957—9 a.m.

1821. I saw Prime Minister, Foreign Minister ad interim, this morning and discussed with him briefly US Government views on preliminary information Sukarno’s concept Advisory Council as means improving Indonesian Government (Department telegram 1169²).

I referred to talk with Subandrio (my telegram 1766 [1770]³) and said my government appreciated special efforts provide US with background information on this subject and that I hoped further opportunities of that kind would be given me. I said I was still unclear about exactly what Sukarno had in mind with many rumors of military dictatorship, one-party control, et cetera.

Prime Minister said Subandrio’s talk with me had been done at his and Sukarno’s special authorization. He said reason Sukarno’s concept still unclear partly because details of Advisory Council are not yet known. These have to be worked out, discussed and eventually debated in Parliament. Concerning possible trend toward dictatorship, Prime Minister said he also had some misgivings in beginning but Sukarno had given his personal assurance that whatever form Council takes it will not violate constitution or interfere with or take over powers of Cabinet or Parliament. Prime Minister said he was satisfied with Sukarno’s assurances. He added that constitutional convention could, of course, change constitution to provide Advisory Council with other powers but that would be legal.

Prime Minister said Council would include representation of groups not now directly represented in Parliament and give them outlet for their dissatisfactions and demands other than taking up arms or causing other troubles. He said not yet worked out who will be included but might include, for example, Bupatis, some Lurahs or other form representation of peasant.

Prime Minister said he could give me his assurance that if Council should tend toward control of Cabinet or Parliament both he and PNI would oppose.

I said we were watching with great interest steps toward Advisory Council, that I wanted to avoid any suggestion of interference but felt I should say that inclusion Communists in Advisory Council would cause my government concern. Prime Minister said he understood this but could not say Communists would not be represented. He said President would head Advisory Council and Prime Minister expressed opinion this would be strong guarantee against strong Communist influence or control. Prime Minister continued with wry smile that under present concept Indonesian Government President could do no wrong and that President himself among those not presently represented in governmental process in Cabinet and Parliament. He said if President makes Council part of his office he would be unable to escape responsibility of advice put forward by Council (which Prime Minister again emphasized Cabinet would not have to follow).

Cumming

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/1–2457. Secret; Limited Distribution.
2. Telegram 1169 to Djakarta, January 19, requested that Cumming, at his discretion, inform Subandrio of U.S. concern regarding the inclusion of the Communists in the Indonesian Government. (Ibid., 756D.00/1–1857)
3. Supra.