300. Message From the Ambassador in Indonesia (Allison) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson)1

1. In my opinion we have reached a point in our relations with Indonesia where we must decide to go definitely one way or the other. In my messages … I have advocated a course of action which, for want of a better term I call “conventional”, and which stresses that we should only work with the legitimate Govt of Indonesia and attempt by persuasion and the adoption of policies which greatly appeal to that govt, i.e. support of their desire to negotiate on West Irian, to so influence the govt that it will act in general accord with our overall objectives. This policy assumes also that Sukarno is not past redemption. It is now apparent, particularly since receipt of State … 11422 re the Indonesian request for military equipment that Wash agencies are reluctant to accept this policy. However, as yet Washington has not fully adopted the opposite course which assumes Sukarno is the principal (tho not sole) obstacle in our way and therefore steps should be taken to isolate or get rid of him. We are, it seems to me, engaged in following a mid-way course between the two extremes. I still believe the first course which I have up to the present advocated is best and would work if wholeheartedly carried out, but I also believe there is at least greater than a fifty-fifty chance that the opposite course would work if well thought out and definitely decided upon. I am certain the middle course will fail.

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  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/11–2757. Top Secret.
  2. Document 298.