Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXIII, Southeast Asia

178. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Kennedy⁰

Washington, June 12, 1961.

SUBJECT

• Allen Lawrence Pope, American Flyer under Death Sentence in Indonesia

Subsequent to your discussion of this case with President Sukarno during his recent visit here,¹ the decision of the Indonesian Supreme Court to confirm the death sentence earlier imposed on Pope was announced officially in Djakarta on June 2, 1961. The only course for Pope now is to appeal to President Sukarno for executive clemency and it is believed that he will do this. His wife has gone to Djakarta to appeal personally to Sukarno, who received her graciously during a previous visit; Pope’s mother and sister will forward separate appeals. In addition, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Mr. Frank P. Graham have agreed to write to Sukarno in Pope’s behalf. These appeals have been sent to Djakarta.

More officially, Ambassador Jones will press Sukarno to demonstrate his generosity and goodwill by exercising leniency. The Ambassador’s case will emphasize recent large-scale surrenders of rebel elements, including prominent leaders, who are being rehabilitated without punishment, as well as candid discussion of the effect on American public opinion should Pope be executed.

In addition to the obvious humanitarian aspects of this case, it is of great importance to our interests in Indonesia that Pope not be executed. It also is most desirable that he be released as soon as possible. He has been imprisoned for more than three years and, in accordance with Embassy advice, patiently has waited out the lengthy process of investigation, trial and appeal. However, we are informed by both the Embassy and his family that he is increasingly impatient, that he may attempt an escape should Sukarno decide on further imprisonment without early prospects for freedom. Such an act on his part, whether or not successful, and success is doubtful, might be viewed by the Indonesian Government as having been instigated by the United States Government. This could lead to a much stiffened Indonesian attitude toward this case [8 lines of source text not declassified].

In these circumstances, Ambassador Jones has recommended, and I concur, that a letter from you to President Sukarno, to be used at the Ambassador’s discretion as a “last ditch” effort, would be highly desirable for use in the event that a harsh decision by Sukarno seems forthcoming.

I have in mind a frank expression of your pleasure with the warmth of your relations with Sukarno and a statement of confidence that he will weigh Pope’s appeal carefully.

Accordingly, I have enclosed a draft letter to President Sukarno which, if you agree with this approach, I recommend that you sign with the understanding that Ambassador Jones will use it only at his personal discretion.²

Dean Rusk

Enclosure³

Washington, June 21, 1961.

Dear Mr. President: I hope that your long trip was satisfying to you and fruitful for your country. It was a great pleasure for me to have had you visit the United States.

You will recall that I spoke to you about the matter of Allen Lawrence Pope. I understand that the Indonesian Supreme Court has sustained the penalty passed earlier on Mr. Pope and that he now, in accordance with Indonesian law, has appealed to you for executive clemency. I am also informed in accordance with your suggestion that Mrs. Pope has also communicated with you.

I am hopeful, in weighing Mr. Pope’s appeal, that you will consider the deep concern of his family and friends in the United States, and that your decision will reflect the humanitarianism for which you and your country are known.

It would please me to receive a message from you whenever you believe that our personal relations can serve the cause of our nations’ close friendship.

Sincerely,

John F. Kennedy⁴

0. Source: Kennedy Library, President’s Office Files, Countries, Indonesia—Security, 1961–1963. Secret.
1. No other record of a Sukarno-Kennedy discussion on the Pope case during Sukarno’s visit to Washington, beyond the references here and in the enclosed letter, has been found.
2. The letter was substantially revised by the President in his own hand to make it more personal and informal. The draft letter with Kennedy’s revisions is in the Kennedy Library, President’s Office Files, Countries, Indonesia—Security, 1961–1963. The letter printed as an enclosure below is the retyped one that incorporates the President’s changes.
3. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Indonesia, Pope Case. No classification marking.
4. Printed from a copy that indicates Kennedy signed the original.