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

209. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson) to Acting Secretary of State Dillon⁰

Washington, June 19, 1959.

SUBJECT

• Political Situation in Indonesia

On April 22, 1959, President Sukarno proposed that Indonesia return to its 1945 Constitution in order to (1) rekindle the revolutionary fervor and unity of that year and (2) stabilize Indonesian government and politics. After more than a month’s debate, the proposal failed on three successive ballots (May 31, June 1, June 2) to win the necessary two-thirds majority in the Constituent Assembly. The Islamic parties voted solidly against the proposal because the 1945 Constitution lacks explicit provisions recognizing Islam as the pre-eminent religious faith of Indonesia.

Following the defeat of Sukarno’s proposal, the Army Chief of Staff, General Nasution, acting in his capacity as War Administrator under the existing State of Emergency, on June 2 banned all political activity in Indonesia as tending to exacerbate tensions prejudicial to law and order. He took this action on instructions from Sukarno, then in Los Angeles on his world tour. While banning political activity, the Army denied having any intention of taking over the reins of government. Nevertheless, it is evident that the Army is prepared to intervene actively in the political sphere in order to prevent further deterioration of the political situation.

It is generally expected that there will be no further important developments in the Indonesian political situation until Sukarno returns to the country June 28. We have been told by Foreign Minister Subandrio that Sukarno is confident he can resolve the differences with the Moslem parties which led to defeat of his proposal in the Constituent Assembly and find a mutually agreeable way to return to the 1945 Constitution.

Our Embassy at Djakarta estimates that, while imposition of the 1945 Constitution by Presidential decree remains a possibility, it is more likely the President will work out a compromise formula involving concessions of some sort to the Moslem position. The Embassy looks for the present government thereupon to resign and be replaced by a government in which the principal roles will be played by Sukarno himself, the Army, the PNI (Nationalist Party) and perhaps the NU (a major Islamic party).

0. Source: Department of State, S/S–OCB Files: Lot 62 D 430, Indonesia. Confidential. Drafted by Moore on June 17 and cleared with Mein. A copy of this memorandum was sent to Murphy.