756D.5 MAP/7–2650: Telegram.
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Secretary of State
112. Tomap. Handed Hatta twenty-sixth formal note setting forth text of bilateral draft exactly as contained Deptel 84, July 22.1 Gave [Page 1038] him copy of secret minute separately.2 Note of transmittal asked earliest possible negotiations.
Hatta reminded me new unitary state to be established as of August 17. Parliament is now in session giving undivided attention to revision of constitution in preparation for unitary state. Cabinet which is to function under unitary state is to be organized prior August 17. Political situation is tense with members of government appearing before Parliament to explain draft constitution and defend various positions. Hatta promised since effort meet US requirements realizing we desire have proper understanding while he is responsible head of government and prior arrival first consignment of police equipment.
Hatta took exception to form of US draft stating this is formal agreement which would have to be ratified by Parliament. He said absolutely impossible obtain such ratification before status of Parliament and of government changed on August 17. Hatta is agreeable to an exchange of diplomatic notes. Deptel 4773 authorized this if more acceptable to RUSI than original bilateral text contained Deptel 478.
Hatta believes preamble in US draft is in such language that a formal agreement is constituted of type which would require Parliamentary approval. Since such approval is impossible in present circumstances, he could not accept preamble as drafted. Would, however, be agreeable to substitution preamble form Deptel [ Embtel] 757.
Throughout exchange of notes Hatta suggests there be no use of word “agreement”. He is entirely ready as Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister to “undertake”. He would inform his colleagues in [Page 1039] Cabinet of his “undertaking”, but would not have to submit document using this word to Parliament for approval.
Hatta feels he cannot subscribe to secret minute. He assured me Indonesia and its government strongly sympathetic to United States of America and to their resolve stop Communist imperialism. He admitted, however, that Indonesia fears Russia. He said any promise even to consult at this critical time on control of export of war potential materials would be extremely dangerous to Indonesia. He said he and Djuanda in agreement that purchasers of Indonesian products this type will be given quotations only for delivery Indonesia. That is, Indonesia will not risk deliveries abroad but will require buyers take title and responsibility here.
He argued that it is much better to have a moral understanding which will work than a written agreement which would result badly. He said Indonesia wants US have its products. US is natural purchaser of important part thereof and would certainly be given every consideration in buying these in time of hostilities. Believes US would continue dominate seas and enemies would have no access Indonesian market. I pointed out sales from neutrals such as Argentina during part of last war to Germany through Switzerland, Sweden and Spain. Hatta offered give oral undertaking that RUSI would not export potential war materials to intermediate countries for transmission to enemies of US.
Hatta promised study entire document together with pertinent parts of PL 329 and let me have his reaction soonest. I am fairly sure I can obtain his agreement to balance of text provided above-mentioned changes are made and minute is eliminated. Realizing good will of Hatta toward US value of having an exchange of letters to which he is signatory and of possible difficulties of negotiation an agreement after August 17, I strongly recommend Hatta’s amendments abovementioned be accepted and I be promptly instructed proceed with negotiations on such lines.
- Not printed; the text of this draft followed closely the draft transmitted in (telegram 478, May 24, p. 1025, with some rearrangement of the articles and inclusion of the suggestions made by Cochran in telegram 757, June 7, p. 1027 (756A.5 MAP/7–2250).↩
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The text of the secret minute read:
“In the course of discussions on the military assistance agreement under Public Law 329, 81st Congress, as amended, the Reps of the Govt of the USA proposed the inclusion of the following provision:
“‘The two Govts recognize their mutual interest, consistent with mutual security and recovery objectives, in effective controls over the export of war-potential materials, equip and, insofar as practicable, technical data; and the two Govts will consult with a view to taking measures for the accomplishment of these ends.’
“Reps of the Govt of RUSI have stated that the Govt of RUSI is in full accord with the terms of this provision, and have also given assurances, on behalf of their Govt, of the intention of the Govt of RUSI to cooperate with respect to the development of satisfactory controls over such war-potential exports.
“In view of the assurances of the Reps of the Govt of RUSI of the intention of the Govt of RUSI to cooperate in the development of such controls, and to establish appropriate consultative procedures, the Reps of the USA believe that it is unnecessary to incl the above qtd provision in the text of the military assistance agreement under Public Law 329, 81st Congress, as amended.”
↩ - Not printed, but see footnote 1 to telegram 478, May 24, p. 1025.↩