Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Indonesia, Volume XVII

169. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State⁰

Djakarta, December 24, 1958, 10 a.m.

2026. CINCPAC also for POLAD. Department pass Department Army for ASCI. I believe Jani–Benson discussion contained Army Attaché CX 362¹ of utmost importance. It is obvious pressures increasing on Nasution and that his position susceptible of dangerous weakening if US does not come forward soon with positive assistance in line with Indonesian army request to equip 20 Infantry Battalions on austere basis, (reference ALUSNA Dakarta 090735Z)²

Unless army thus strengthened, it is possible Suryadarma, in view of air force competent performance against rebels, may be strengthened vis-à-vis Nasution. One indication of a possible trend is report from Medan of razzias carried out by air force personnel, including searches of army officers houses.

Jani’s and Gatot Subroto’s statements to Benson were extraordinarily frank and blunt for Indonesians indicating they are reaching point of desperation. Approach almost certainly made at request of General Nasution.

Nasution’s ability to preserve prestige of army and to maintain his position as dominant Chief of Staff rests on his ability obtain equipment. His need is urgent. If he does not have assurance from US within a short time on our willingness to equip 20 battalions he will have no choice but to deal with Communist sources which have demonstrated their willingness and ability to deliver on short notice.

We now have specific request in which Indonesians have taken into consideration problem they realize we have with Dutch and consequently did not ask for heavy equipment or equipment designed for amphibious type operation but only basic light arms for infantry battalions.

I recommend that both priorities one and two, reference ALUSNA Djakarta 232345Z³ for equipping 20 infantry battalions be furnished on urgent basis.

If the policy we have embarked on is to succeed, we need affirmative answer soonest.⁴

Jones

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.56/12–2458. Secret; Priority.
1. Not found.
2. In this telegram, December 9, Lieutenant Colonel Henry A. McCartney, the Naval Attaché in Indonesia, reported that in a meeting that day with Colonel Jani he learned that the first priority for aid as desired by the Indonesian Army was for small arms and related equipment for their infantry battalions. Accordingly, he recommended, and the Ambassador concurred, that the L–20s not be delivered. (Washington National Records Center, RG 319, Headquarters, Department of the Army Communication Center Files)
3. Not found.
4. In telegram 2063 from Djakarta, December 30, Jones reported on a conversation that he had with Sukendro the previous night, in which Sukendro stated that the situation in Indonesia was becoming desperate. Jones concluded that a decision on military aid and economic assistance to Indonesia be taken soon. (Department of State, Central Files, 756D.5-MSP/12-3058) See Supplement.