856D.501/9–1351: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Indonesia
317. Eyes only Cochran. Dept unable approve project further training Indo police as submitted Soekanto’s memo Aug 15 (ur ltr Aug 17).1 [Page 701] Proposal so vague Dept feels difficulties experienced prev groups wld be intensified unless there cld be more specific indication what is required. Item c his memo2 requests accreditation his officers police org but does not sugg for what purpose, whether traffic control, fingerprinting, communications, files and records; past groups have been almost unanimous claiming police training this kind not effective either because Indos already have experience these matters or because conditions Indo so different lessons inapplicable. Additionally Dept anticipates great difficulty persuading any police org accept Indo trainees who do not have sufficient grasp language, whose attitude, in light past experience, cld be expected be not completely cooperative, and who might thus seriously hamper regular work of org.
Items e, f, g, h3 not clear since there has been no confinement or restriction trainees except during three or four days highly classified training. Difficulty reconciling complete freedom of movement for trainees with concentration in short time of greatest amount specialized training, requiring much travel and intricate coordination several training efforts, is obvious.
Items e, f, g, h in fact tend confirm suspicion arising here out of experience first five groups and based upon attitudes, behavior, and in some cases admissions of trainees that latter much more interested coming US for free ride than for professional police training. (Noteworthy exception: four members fourth group trainees incl leader.) While this aim, implying as it does desire for familiarization US and its customs, habits, etc. undoubtedly worthy, Dept inclined believe proper vehicle for its achievement not police training program which is expensive and involves large expenditures time and effort by several US law enforcement, military and other orgs.
Item d4 Soekanto’s memo appears have merit and it is possible interested agency may be able arrange training this kind for smaller number selected, carefully screened individuals after Jan 1. This of course not Dept State responsibility but Dept forwarding request proper part US Govt.
[Page 702]Re Craig other commitments make impossible his visit despite his desire accept invitation.
In nr discretion you may communicate substance all or part foregoing Soekanto.
Other Agency concurs this tel. Reply to “R only.”
- Neither printed; Ambassador Cochran sent Police Chief Sukanto’s memorandum with an accompanying letter to Mr. Lacy on August 17. Both documents can be found in the Djakarta Embassy File: Lot 55 F 17, Box 31, and the remaining footnotes to this cable refer to the Police Chief’s memorandum.↩
- In item c, the Police Chief proposed that of the six groups of policemen to be sent to the United States in 1952, three of the groups should be accredited to some recognized regular police organization.↩
- In item e, the request was made that the trainees should be allowed more contact with the American public and should not be confined to restricted areas; in item f, the thought was advanced that these officers could gain as much from more personal contact as they could from their actual training programs; in item g, Police Chief Sukanto declared that if these men were accredited to regular police departments, they would be afforded the chance to get a daily taste of actual police methods as well as seeing the off-duty social life of the average American officer; in item h, it was recognized that more isolation was necessary for those engaged in security and intelligence training, but that the existing restrictions were also too great.↩
- In item d, the Police Chief suggested that three of the annual groups of officers should be assigned to various national level agency instructors for training in internal security and intelligence operations.↩