756D.5 MAP/9–3050: Telegram
The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Acting Secretary of State
442. After receipt cablegram from Melby mission indicating character information which would be required, held Embassy staff meetings participated in by service attaches. Embassy proceeded prepare answers on certain points while attachés assembled data in their possession on other points. With view to acquainting Indonesians with type of data which might be required, and for purpose having much of this ready in time for use by mission, I handed FonMin Roem personally on Monday September 25 following informal memo:
“US military assistance survey mission headed by Melby and Major General Erskine due arrive on or about September 30. Their task examine Indonesian requirements, within US availabilities, for equipment for internal and external defense purposes. Survey mission will undoubtedly need certain information re present Indonesian military establishment, order to evaluate intelligibly such requests as it might receive for material in addition that already being furnished to Indonesian civil police.
[Page 1070]In particular, US Embassy understands survey mission would appreciate information on following:
- A.
- Specific requests for amounts and types of military equipment;
- B.
- Priority of different categories of material requested;
- C.
- Need for such equipment relation to:
- 1.
- Size, character, and location presently existing Indonesian army, navy and air forces and armed police forces;
- 2.
- Plans for future organization and strength of above named forces;
- 3.
- Specific purposes such forces;
- 4.
- Military equipment now available Indonesia to carry out objectives (or procurable from other sources).
For proper execution its task, Mission will doubtless desire detailed information as possible under above headings.
Mission will also need exposition of problems bearing upon Indonesian internal and external defense. Re point C3, specific data would be useful on character and strength of elements hostile to Indonesian state, such as armed bands, smuggling rings, rebellious forces (such as Ambon), etc. It appreciated these are more immediate problems, but on long-range basis attention would also be paid, in relation military equipment requests, to future plans for external defense inherent Indonesia’s position SEA.
Subsidiary item would be ability of Indonesian Government defray local costs storage, maintenance and issue of material received. A corollary of supply of such equipment would be Indonesia’s needs for technical and training assistance in maintenance and use of equipment. Specific information on this point would also be useful.”
I told Roem that I was sure his people could not give specific data on all points, and that some officials might desire refrain from making known certain suggested information. I told him I preferred, however, let him know frankly what questions were likely to be asked since this would avoid embarrassment and complication in long run. He expressed appreciation of my approach. It was agreed that neither Embassy nor attachés nor advance guard of Melby mission should have contact with Indonesian military authorities until policy decision reached by Indonesian Government and Embassy informed thereof.
Friday noon, 29th, called on Darmasetiawan FonOff. I told him had worked with advance guard of Melby mission and should have indication soonest from Indonesian Government on reception and arrangements for mission. I said I had already sought another brief postponement of arrival since I saw arrangements could not possibly be made in time for proper reception and program as originally envisaged. I said I did not feel like requesting any further postponement and we should definitely count on mission arriving Djakarta Tuesday night October 3. Darmasetiawan promised take up this and several other point of unfinished business with Roem with hope latter could [Page 1071] give me answers at meeting which Darmasetiawan suggested I have with Roem 12 noon today.
When I called on Roem today he said had just prepared a memo in answer to mine. His typist shortly brought in following memo dated September 30:
“The Government of the Republic of Indonesia is prepared to receive the US military assistance survey mission headed by Mr. John F. Melby and Major General Erskine, for an informal visit.
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia will avail itself gratefully of the opportunity to acquire arms and equipment which could be provided within US availabilities on the base of a normal transaction, the price to be paid and the conditions of payment to be agreed upon.
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia is prepared to open discussions on that base.
The material already being furnished to the Indonesian civil police has fully been dealt with through the chief of the State police of the Republic of Indonesia. This is a separate matter than the discussions mentioned above.”
I asked Roem if the word “informal” in first paragraph referred only to fact military members of Melby mission would be in civilian clothing. I said when original idea of mission arose then PriMin Hatta had agreed to reception provided civilian clothing worn. Roem said that was what was meant by “informal” in his memo. I told him members of mission would be coming here in official capacities and I would expect them to be received by himself as FonMin and by appropriate defense officials. He assured me this would be done.
When I asked if my understanding was correct that his government desired to receive future military arms and equipment only on purchase and not on grant, he answered affirmatively. He said this would be consistent with Indonesian foreign policy and would avoid domestic political difficulties. He said his government desired to be both independent and strong and he thought his people should be schooled in paying for what they need and in making their own way. I told him US had been happy to help give Indonesia a start, and was ready to help further if necessary, but that if his government felt it is in position to pay for needed military equipment and so desired I would recommend to my government that mission proceed Djakarta as planned and conduct negotiations in light of above quoted memo. I asked Roem specifically and pointedly as to whether the visit of the mission was desired by the Indonesian Government and whether it would be welcome. He assured me affirmatively on both points.
I then went over the tentative program which Captain Jordan, advance representative of Melby mission, had worked up with Embassy since his arrival. This included calls on Vice PriMin, FonMin and DefMin by Melby, Erskine and myself and calls upon President [Page 1072] and PriMin if these two officials might so desire. Plan also envisaged trips to Surabaya naval base by one section of mission and to Bandung by those interested in land and air warfare and to Sukabumi for inspection police school, as well as visits to installations in and near Djakarta. Roem promised work on this immediately with interested military officials and thereafter indicate with whom Embassy representatives and Jordan should make contract for definitive arrangements. Roem said he would give me pertinent information soonest and certainly not later than noon Monday, when he lunches with me.
I recommend mission come as scheduled. I can give no assurance as to what attitude of Indonesian Government will be on providing data ordinarily required by Melby mission. Unless otherwise instructed shall proceed with arrangements as originally planned.
Sent Department 442; repeated Manila 26; Department pass Manila.