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

328. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State ¹

Djakarta , December 20, 1957—3 p.m.

1700. No distribution outside the Department. Department’s 1464.² Army Attaché³ has discussed contents his C–126⁴ and C–127⁵ with me, but he did not tell me he was at this time reporting contents. I have discussed subject matter with Mein and we were waiting to comment on it in our overall recommendations to the Department at conclusion of Mein’s visit. I have told Army Attaché that he might well point out to … that I am accredited to Sukarno and that there is no necessity for going through a third party. …

… recent press stories that Djuanda, Nasution and Hatta may be cooperating to put pressure on Sukarno. I am beginning to come to conclusion that this may be so. As Department will recall from my 1525⁶ in my talk with Djuanda Subandrio was present and I received the impression that some of Djuanda’s statements might have been made either deliberately for Subandrio’s ears or because he had been forced to make such statements by the palace and Subandrio was present to see that he did so. In this connection it may be significant that Subandrio was also present during Djuanda’s press conference the day before yesterday. Mein and I have had a request in for the past four days to see Djuanda and so far there has been no response, although I learned last night from Yugoslav Ambassador that he had had long interview with Djuanda yesterday so Prime Minister is seeing some diplomats. It may well be that Djuanda has been told to reduce his contacts with me.

I remain of the opinion that [name deleted] approach should be commented on in overall context present situation as we are beginning to understand it over the past few days, and in report which Mein and I hope to forward today or tomorrow we will deal with this matter.⁷

Allison

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/12–2057. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution.
2. Telegram 1464 to Djakarta, December 18, requested the Embassy’s comment on telegrams C–126 and C–127 from the Army Attaché in Djakarta. (Ibid., 756D.00/12–1857)
3. Colonel Robert B. Collier.
4. Telegram C–126, December 16, reported that a source had approached the Attaché, intimating that he was representing Sukarno, and asked what the United States would do for Indonesia if Sukarno turned against Communism. The Attaché replied that he could not answer the question and that the proper channel was from Sukarno to the Prime Minister to Ambassador Allison, but the source indicated that he wanted to ascertain the possibility of U.S. assistance before discussing the subject with the Prime Minister. (Department of Defense Files)
5. Telegram C–127, December 17, reported a conversation on December 16 with the same source who said he had been with Sukarno for an hour that morning. The source stated that “he feels Pres realizes his plight and is seeking way out without losing face. Also feels Pres willing change his plcy if he can depend on US help. Therefore [name deleted] trying determine for Sukarno what possibilities are.” The source also stated that Nasution was working in close cooperation with Djuanda and that Hatta was in contact with them and willing to work with them. When asked what Indonesia would want from the United States, he had replied that the United States could, first, help find a “way out” for Sukarno by using its influence to bring about talks between the Netherlands and Indonesia; second, provide military equipment to the Indonesian Army; and, third, send immediate aid in food and commodities. (Ibid.)
6. Document 320.
7. See infra.