Office of the Historian

153. Memorandum From Thomas J. Barnes of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, February 18, 1976.1 2

Washington, February 18, 1976

MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
INFORMATION

February 18, 1976

MEMORANDUM FOR: BRENT SCOWCROFT
FROM: THOMAS J. BARNES [TJB initialed]

SUBJECT: Contingency Planning for Military Supply to Indonesia

In a February 17 cable (Tab A), Ambassador Newsom expressed concern that Congressional action could end FMS military assistance to Indonesia. He requested that State and Defense undertake a discreet survey of possible alternative measures to insure that Indonesia would still have access to American equipment. Newsom argues that should a cutoff occur, we could only avert a possible Indonesian sudden shift away from us by having a substitute program ready.

Newsom suggests that Washington consider all possible options including the following:

  • — Increased coproduction of U.S. items in Indonesia. PR 77 radios are currently in coproduction. Helicopters and M 16 rifles are distinct possibilities for coproduction.
  • — Third country production.
  • — Third country manufacture under U.S. license.
  • — U.S. provision of surplus or used equipment that the Foreign Assistance Act does not regulate.
  • — Friendly foreign sources of compatible equipment not subject to licensing.
  • — Straight commercial sale.

Les Janka does not believe that there is now any ground swell with the Congress to cut off aid to Indonesia because of the East Timor incursion. A study could therefore provoke more problems than it solves.

  1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia (7). Secret; Nodis. Sent for information. Don McDonald of the NSC staff initialed his concurrence. At the bottom of the page, in response to Barnes’ statement about the dangers of a study, Scowcroft wrote, “Should it be turned off?” Tab A, telegram 2097 from Jakarta, February 17, is in the National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. On February 22, Scowcroft wrote a note to Barnes, “Tom—I do not believe a study is necessary but I hope some thought is being given to the question. Brent.” (Ibid.)↩
  2. Barnes sent Scowcroft a memorandum on contingency planning for military supply to Indonesia.↩