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

38. Telegram From Secretary of State Dulles to the Department of State⁰

Taipei, March 14, 1958, 1 p.m.

Dulte 11. During meeting yesterday with Casey and Lloyd¹ I threw out suggestion that if the rebel movement did not immediately collapse and if sustained fighting seemed likely, US might say to Sukarno that since early military solution seemed unlikely US must inquire as to likelihood of a political solution, and that in the absence of this likelihood, US would have to consider according belligerent rights to rebels.

I suggested that this statement if accurately timed might strengthen hands of those seeking political solution.

Lloyd remarked that it would have to be carefully considered whether such a move would have productive or counter productive result. Casey made no comment.²

Dulles

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/3–1458. Top Secret. Repeated to Djakarta.
1. The meeting took place in Manila.
2. On March 19 Secretary of State Dulles spoke with President Eisenhower about a number of matters, including the recent SEATO meetings. A memorandum of that conversation, prepared by Dulles, reads in part: “The President asked whether there was much concern about Indonesia and desire that we should take a stronger course. I said there was such concern, particularly on the part of the Philippines and Australia.” (Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, Meetings with the President)