165. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State0
1695. CINCPAC for POLAD. President Sukarno made strong appeal last night to ICA Director Baird to help convey true picture of Indonesia to American Government on his return to Washington. President asked Baird to call on eve of his departure for Washington consultation, first time Baird had talked with President on other than primarily social occasions.
Sukarno expressed hope that improvement Indo-US relations could continue. Baird remarked that he felt relations had improved during last six months, and President replied, “Oh, tremendously. But we want this to continue. We always have the feeling you are holding back and not giving us your full confidence. We are peculiar people. If you give us your full confidence, you will be surprised how we will respond.”
[Page 307]President went on to say he had told Secretary two years ago “not to lose this game”.
“These fellows up north are pretty rough,” Sukarno added. “We don’t know how many friends we have in the world. We don’t know whether you are really for us; we have the feeling that your aid comes to us reluctantly.
“We have more basic things in common with America than any other country. Please don’t lose this game.”
President then turned to specifics, noting that press reports had said Subandrio informed in Washington EXIM Bank unwilling make loans for Lockheed Electras, thermal power plant in Surabaya, dredges.
“This is vital. We have to have these things. I don’t understand. Why are you so reluctant to help us. We like Americans and we trust America, but we have got to survive. Try to explain this in Washington and get these loans through. We were embarrassed by this.”
President’s attitude throughout conversation was friendly, sincere, humble. At one point said he was angry about Herald Tribune editorial which had accused him of staging trip to Moluccas to divert attention from serious economic situation.
“I don’t know why we’re so misunderstood,” President said. “We don’t seem to have projected ourselves as we really are.
“I have received many, many letters from your young people in the States who are more understanding of Indonesia’s needs and aspirations than your government.”
The President then undertook to analyze the cause for US Government misunderstanding.
“The center of world power and influence has shifted since World War II to Asia from Europe. You are still guided by a European mentality in your attitude and relations with Asia generally, but in particular towards the Republic of Indonesia.
“Why is it that most of the visitors who come here have a completely false picture of Indonesia in their minds? But after even two days in Djakarta, the worst city in the world, they understand us better and see that they have been wrong. Please do not lose this game because of such false attitudes.”
At another point in conversation President asked whether “Dutch propaganda” might be responsible for distorted picture of Indonesia in outside world.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.56D/11–2058. Confidential. Repeated to The Hague, Canberra, Tokyo, Singapore, and CINCPAC.↩