Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI, Part 1

756D.5/10–1151: Telegram

The Ambassador in Indonesia (Cochran) to the Secretary of State

confidential
priority

Djakarta, October 11, 1951—3 p. m.

560. Ambassador Ali asked me last evening what attitude Dept wld take toward helping Indonesia purchase defense equipment US. I said unaware to what extent Indonesia followed up info obtained this subject on and shortly after visit Roem and myself Washington last autumn (see Deptel 643, Dec 23¹).

I had heard Sudarpo had inquired of Dept re obtaining LSTs and certain other items which he was subsequently to list. I said had just been informed by Dept his Emb had been placed in touch with possible sources LSTs (Deptel 431²). I said if Indonesia desires reimbursable military assistance Ali’s Embassy shld directly contact US auths Washington. I wld be glad do whatever possible assist while we are both in Washington, and bring back info for first-hand explanation to Indonesian Govt.

Cochran

1. Not here printed.
2. In telegram 431 to Djakarta, October 9, Ambassador Cochran was informed that the Department of State had put the Indonesian Embassy in Washington in contact with private owners of LST’s, and that the Department had assumed no responsibility as to the reliability of these firms (856D.10/10–951).