Office of the Historian

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

Djakarta, June 1, 1957—1 p.m.

2932. Deptel 1993.2 Embassy has endeavored to keep Department currently informed of all significant events and developments while at same time by despatch and periodic cables providing analysis and interpretation. Indonesian problem of creating and maintaining political stability is long-term one during working out of which many contradictory actions will take place. If we attempt to report every movement on political stage as it takes place there will not only be no time for anything else but there is real danger of giving false and unduly alarmist picture (such as given by most press accounts, particularly UP) which could well cause Washington agencies to take premature action which would adversely affect our interests.

As indicated my 2921,3 present Cabinet is taking much more realistic and constructive approach to present situation than did its [Page 392] predecessor. I believe it essential that we exercise patience and understanding of problems facing this infant republic and that we take no public action indicating concern or lack of faith in ability central government eventually to solve these problems.

We will, as I believe we have, keep abreast of situation and keep Department currently informed of those events which may cause real difference in outlook or which appear to require consideration of possible action on part US. Believe our 2921 throws some light on numbered problems 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Deptel 1993.4

Allison
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/6–157. Confidential.↩
  2. Telegram 1993 to Djakarta, May 29, requested additional reporting and analysis by the Embassy of political developments. (Ibid., 756D.00/5–1657)↩
  3. Supra.↩
  4. These were: “2) Activities Djuanda Government in attempting find solution regional problem, 3) Sukarno–Djuanda Government relationship, 4) Nasution’s position, 5) Hatta activities, etc.”↩