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

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

Djakarta, November 4, 1957—10 a.m.

1135. Department telegram 986 and Embassy telegram 1114.² I agree that naval visits can serve useful purpose under proper conditions but I am of opinion that it is not suitable at present for naval vessels to visit Indonesia. Situation in 1954 and 1955 mentioned in Department telegram 986 was quite different than that now prevailing. If for no other reason AP story quoted in Department telegram 981³ would make it inadvisable for any American military visits to Indonesia. I deplore the aggressive tone of recent statements by American military leaders which have had an adverse effect here. When to these statements is added a definite reference to Indonesia the situation becomes even worse. Any American military visits in the near future would only be interpreted by Indonesians as pressure being put on this country to get it to join SEATO. Any such pressure could only be counter-productive and play into the hands of the Communists. AP story summarized in Department telegram 981 particularly unfortunate in view of statement that Indonesia rejected American offers of military aid and that there is no alliance with United States. As Department is well aware, since first rejection of American military aid by Indonesia the government has come a long way and is now prepared to accept US military aid on a reimbursable basis. Such irresponsible statements as those in AP story can well lose us what progress we have already made up to this time.

Until US Government is prepared to do more than make what Indonesians would consider idle gestures, such as visits of American ships, I do not believe there should be any such visits. If on other hand, we are prepared to make some agreement regarding furnishing of military aid on a reimbursable basis and if US Government is prepared to take other steps, showing friendship for Indonesia, the visit of naval vessels could serve a useful purpose. At present they would only be an aggravation.

Allison

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.5856D/11–457. Confidential.

2. Telegram 1114 from Djakarta, October 31, referred to plans for a visit by U.S. destroyers to Djakarta and Surabaya in early December and noted: “Indonesia is no place for United States naval vessels at this time.” (Ibid., 711.5856D/10–3157)

   Telegram 986 to Djakarta, November 2, stated that the proposed naval visit was prompted by the desire to “strengthen US-Indo naval ties” and the belief that the objectives cited in telegram 942, Document 275, might also be served. (Department of State, Central Files, 711.5856D/10–3157)

3. Telegram 981 to Djakarta, November 1, transmitted the text of an Associated Press story datelined Pearl Harbor, which quoted remarks made by Admirals Burke and Stump in interviews with newsmen. The following paragraphs of the story concerned Indonesia:

   “A sifting of the great volume of reports coming to Pearl Harbor from many sources in many Asian lands leads to the conclusion that Indonesia is one of the prime targets for Communist control and may be ripe for plucking without a shot.

   “Dogged by internal dissensions and armed revolts, the Government of Indonesia has accepted so many favors from native Communists that the payoff hour may not be far off, these reports indicate.

   “Stubbornly neutralist after breaking all ties with the Netherlands, Indonesia rejected American offers of military aid. Because there is no alliance or even a mutual aid agreement with the United States, any direct American military intervention would be damned as imperialism and will be avoided scrupulously.” (Ibid., 611.90/11–157)