83. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State1

10141. For: Assistant Secretary Holbrooke. Subject: US Public Diplomacy in Asia and the Pacific. Ref: State 172357.2

1. In general, public diplomacy of the new administration in this area has been effective. New policies have been enunciated clearly in statements by high level officials and such statements and backgrounds have been given timely dissemination through Wireless File and Departmental messages. This has been effectively supplemented by items available through alerts system, by VTR’s and by visiting speakers.

2. We still have two problems which require continuing attention in our public diplomacy: our posture in East Asia and human rights.

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3. We still face deeply implanted and persistent feeling that new administration is “withdrawing” or, at least, “reducing priority” in East Asia. This remains conventional wisdom here in Indonesia despite visitors from new administration, significant statements such as Secretary’s Asia Society speech,3 agreement to USASEAN talks,4 and significant efforts by administration on behalf various forms of aid for Indonesia. I confess I am baffled by phenomenon. Fact is it exists and will continue to require, on our part, reiteration of our interest and maximum of attention to area through visits and concrete actions.

4. Full appreciation for President Carter’s broad and sympathetic interest in human dignity and basic rights is hampered by feeling that our approach to this issue: (1) is accusatory; (2) seeks to implant American models on other societies; and (3) fails to recognize special needs of developing societies. Clear presentation of administration views is complicated by fact clear distinction is not made in local public mind between official expressions, congressional views, and views of non-official human rights organizations. In order to put our intentions into clearer focus, we may need to consider somewhat greater emphasis on themes that: (1) we are not promoting a system; we are promoting an attitude which respects each human being and his needs and rights; and (2) we recognize that with basic rights go basic responsibilities of any individual toward others in his society and the welfare of that society.

5. In my absence, Charge Rives and Political Counselor Gardner will continue to work closely, as I have, with PAO Lavin in review and development of USIS country plan.

Newsom
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770274–0868. Limited Official Use. Sent for information to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Medan, Surabaya, and CINCPAC.
  2. See Document 81.
  3. See footnote 2, Document 79.
  4. The first U.S.–ASEAN talks took place August 2–4, 1978. For the White House statement released at the conclusion of these talks, see Public Papers: Carter, 1978, Book II, pp. 1378–1379.