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

330. Telegram From the Army Attaché in Indonesia (Collier) to the Department of the Army¹

Djakarta, December 21, 1957—11:22 a.m.

CX–137. Department pass Army. Information for State, CINCPAC, CINCUSARPAC, CINCPACAF, CINCPACFLT, COMNAVPHIL, COMSEVENTHFLT and COMAFTHIRTEEN. Sent DA Washington for action ACSI, AFCIN and ONI. Colonel Jani, Deputy Chief of Staff, in conversation with Major Benson, Assistant ARMA, on 20 December made another strong plea for favorable US action on military equipment for Indonesia,CX 134.² Jani said that cabinet had approved spending of large amount of money (Ministry Defense source states amount to be 250 million US dollars) for military equipment, and cabinet directed equipment should start to arrive within 90 days. Jani stated that two officers had already been sent to Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia to lay ground work for team of officers which is to leave Indonesia in about a week.

Nasution had sent instruction to Colonel Adjie, Indonesian Attaché in Belgrade, that favorable reply from US will stop the negotiations with Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia immediately.

Jani said that most of the day (20 December) he was in conference with Colonel Ibnu Sutowo, Deputy Chief of Staff (Logistics) discussing the arms problem. Both officers want US to understand that it is not too late to take favorable action, as cable to Adjie will stop other transaction. Jani said that he and Sutowo appreciate the position of US at this time, especially with anti-Dutch drive making world headlines. But, Jani added, Indonesian army needs equipment, army now has money from government for some equipment and army wants US equipment. Jani said that only US equipment will hold up here in the tropics. Army is forced to replace windshields in all Russian jeeps because heat has caused glass to become “wavey” and causes driver fatigue and accidents.

Jani said he and Sutowo are very worried over impact of Soviet bloc military equipment deal on US-Indonesian relations.

Jani said that army headquarters feels that strongest supporters it has are in American Embassy. They know that if Embassy had its way, Indonesia would get equipment. But in this case we are not dealing only with Embassy, but US Government. Jani said he told Sutowo that Americans are “funny people” and never do something half way. Jani said he could foresee very angry Congress cutting Indonesian aid in other fields,ICA, USIA, military schooling—right to bone because of Indonesian-Soviet bloc arms deal.

Jani concluded by requesting that assistant ARMA make one more strong request for favorable action in this matter.

Comment: Consensus of opinion military attachés here US should act affirmatively now. Signed Collier, ARMA.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.56/12–2157. Secret; Priority; Noforn. Sent through Department of State communications facilities.
2. Telegram CX–134 from the Army Attaché in Djakarta to the Department of the Army, December 19, reported that the Indonesian Cabinet had approved spending $250 million for military equipment and transmitted a request from Colonel Hidajat that the United States should “permit some country, any country, to sell US-made equipment to Indonesia.” (Ibid., 756D.56/12–1957)