Office of the Historian

298. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Indonesia1

Washington, November 25, 1957—7:32 p.m.

1142. Embtel 942.2 Final decision on possible military assistance postponed pending further developments political situation Indonesia.3 [Page 516] Among important factors to be considered in reaching final decision will be form implementation Sukarno–Hatta declaration, results seven-man committee on army question, accomplishments Economic Development Conference and Indonesian actions following UNGA consideration West New Guinea issue. Recent statements by Sukarno and others have not been reassuring and serve only make advisability extension military assistance questionable. We are concerned not only over Sukarno’s statements regarding West New Guinea but also his attitude toward U.S. as evidenced statement reported … to have been made by him in series lectures to army officers Military Academy Bandung.

You requested inform Djuanda and through Service Attachés Nasution and armed services that Indonesian request for military assistance under consideration at same time pointing out to them that recent events in Indonesia and statements including Sukarno’s reported statements in Bandung do not facilitate decision. You will of course be advised when final determination made.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.56/10–1157. Secret. Drafted in SPA, approved in FE, and cleared with EUR and OSD. Repeated to The Hague.↩
  2. Document 275.↩
  3. The question of military assistance to Indonesia was considered at a meeting on November 21 between Under Secretary Herter, Mansfield D. Sprague, Allen Dulles, and other State, Defense, and CIA representatives. It was agreed to postpone a decision on the matter pending further developments in Indonesia, in accordance with a recommendation by Herter. (Memorandum by Mein, November 21; Department of State, Central Files, 756D.5–MSP/11–2157)↩