249. Editorial Note
In an April 21 memorandum to Under Secretary of State Dillon, Assistant Secretary Parsons recommended that the United States provide the Indonesian Navy with an engineering survey at Ambon, the principal Indonesian administrative and military base in the Moluccas. The reason for Parsons’ recommendation was Indonesia’s acceptance during Khrushchev’s recent visit of a $5 million credit and technical help with construction of an oceanographic and marine science institute at Ambon. Parsons’ memorandum noted the danger of Soviet assistance acting as a precursor to Soviet aid to the Indonesian Navy. The institute could provide the Soviet Union an opportunity to do scientific and probably intelligence work over which the United States would be unable to maintain surveillance. By helping in reconstructing the modest naval base at Ambon, the United States could keep a close watch on Soviet activities there and strengthen the Indonesia Navy’s hand in resisting pressure for further Soviet assistance. In addition to recommending the engineering survey within the 1960 fiscal year Military Assistance Program, Parsons also asked for authorization to inform Australian and Netherlands officials of the decision. (Department of State, SPA Files: Lot 63 D 436, Supplies and Equipment for Armed Forces) See Supplement.
Dillon approved both recommendations on May 3. His stamped approval is on a copy of this memorandum in Department of State, WE Files: Lot 63 D 136, Indonesia Miscellaneous. On May 16 John Mein, Director of the Office of Southeast Asian Affairs, explained to Australian officials the U.S. decision to aid the Indonesian Navy with its base facilities at Ambon. (Memorandum of conversation, May 16; Ibid., Central Files, 798.56311/5–1660) See Supplement. During a conversation on May 17 Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Raymond Hare outlined the U.S. position on Ambon to Ambassador Van Roijen. (Telegram 1674 to The Hague, May 19; Department of State, Central Files, 656.9813/5–1960) See Supplement.