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

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

Djakarta, February 25, 1955—1 p.m.

1401. My telegram 1383.²

(1) During half-hour talk this morning with President,³ he devoted about fifteen minutes to discussing Balinese paintings and avoided all my attempts introduce political topics except as indicated below.

(2a) President raised question of possible Dutch membership SEATO (see my telegram 1398⁴).

(2b) Expressed sincere gratitude for increased US technical assistance announced today,⁵ especially malaria program but added “man cannot live by bread alone” and said he looked forward to day when US would give Indonesia spiritual and political aid, namely support of Indonesian point of view on Irian.

(2c) Said it was his earnest hope, which he had expressed to Cabinet, that every effort be made complete elections prior to August 17, Tenth Anniversary of Indonesian Independence. Sukarno was afraid his wish could not be realized but said this indicated how anxious he was to get on with elections.

(3) Later had long talk with Vice President, during which Hatta said he thought it would be impossible to hold elections in time for full returns to be received by August 17. He was confident however that elections would be held not later than August or September, saying that now not only Masjumi but also PNI were anxious for early elections. Mechanically election preparations are being expedited by Home Minister Sunario (my telegram 970)⁶ who had uncovered further examples of almost criminal actions taken by former Home Minister to delay elections. Hatta felt that there was no possibility that Masjumi would lose the elections: Their organization was strong and more and more voters being won over to Masjumi while PNI strength, he felt, was slowly waning. This latter fact plus alarm over PKI strength forcing PNI towards elections soonest possible so that even though they anticipate losing they might make most creditable showing possible perhaps in order be in position request seats in Masjumiled Cabinet.

Hatta also said he had kept in mind my conversation with him last December (my telegram 970) and had urged Prime Minister Ali necessity of hastening election to halt anti-Indonesian criticism from abroad. “Ali is however now too busy with Afro-Asian Conference and other such matters to pay close attention to domestic affairs”.

Hatta thanked me for data which I gave him on Soviet treatment of Moslems and requested more of same, which I am sending him.

Cumming

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/2–2555. Confidential.
2. Supra.
3. The conversation took place on February 24.
4. Telegram 1398, February 24, reported that during a conversation with Cumming that morning, Sukarno had expressed concern that the Netherlands might be admitted into the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization. Cumming replied that he knew of no plans for this. (Department of State, Central Files, 790.5/2–2455)
5. The text of an FOA press release, scheduled for release on February 23, announcing that $7 million would be made available for technical cooperation in Indonesia during fiscal year 1955, was transmitted in Usfoto 702 to Djakarta, February 18. (Ibid.,FOA Message Files: Lot 56 A 632, Box 105, Djakarta)
6. Dated December 22, 1954; see Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. XII, Part 2, p. 486.