756D.5–MAP/10–1851
The Chargé in Indonesia (Benninghoff) to the Secretary of State
No. 235
Ref: Circular Airgram October 2, 1951, Control No. 2021
Subject: MAAG Report: April 1–September 30.
In reply to the Department’s Airgram under reference, there is quoted below a memorandum dated October 16, 1951, prepared by the Chief of MAAG, Indonesia,2 concerning his operations during the period under review:
Headquarters 8482d Administrative Area Unit Army Section, Military Assistance Advisory Group Djakarta, Indonesia
092 MDAP (MSP)
16 October 1951
Subject: Remarks for 4th Semi-annual Report on the Mutual Defense Assistance Program
To: Chargé d’Affaires ad Interim
American
Embassy
Djakarta, Indonesia
With reference to our conversation of 15 October 1951, the following comments on results and progress of MDAP in Indonesia are presented for your consideration:
1. The limited Mutual Security Program for Indonesia was designed to provide the Indonesian National Police Mobile Brigade with arms, limited vehicular transportation, and communications facilities essential for their mission of achieving and maintaining internal security within Indonesia. Although only approximately fifty percent (50%) of the total dollar value of supplies and material programmed for the National Police has been received to date, favorable developments in the formation and utilization of Mobile Brigade Units, morale of personnel, and operational planning have been noted. An encouraging number of Brigade units equipped with MSP (MDAP) equipment have completed their re-training and are being given important security missions. For example, at the Port of Djakarta (Tandjong Priok), the principal commercial harbor of Indonesia, Mobile Brigade units have been active in policing and port security measures. At a recent important ceremony, they assumed full control of all security operations at the port, formerly controlled by the Indonesian Army.
2. Although the effectiveness of MSP (MDAP) aid to Indonesia has been curtailed by delays in delivery of programmed weapons carriers, armored cars, machine guns and certain items of ammunition, the extensive use of equipment items already delivered, especially the radio sets, vehicles and small arms, has been a great asset to the National Police in organizing and training their Mobile Brigade units and expanding their internal security operations. It is believed that Communism does and will continue to present an increasing threat to the people of Indonesia, but at the same time it is felt that the Indonesian Military and National Police Forces’ capabilities for combating Communistic activities have been increased to an equal or greater degree.
3. There has been an increase in export tonnage from Indonesia during 1951, with a material increase in dollar value of exports. With the exception of West Java, a small part of Central Java, and the Southern Celebes, there has been a general improvement of internal security with resultant increase in the economic security of the country. Some planters and estate managers who were considering not operating their estates or limiting their operations, have changed their minds due to improvement in security in their areas, and will continue full operations.
4. The present “Independent Policy” attitude prevails within the Indonesian government and few governmental personnel, other than those at the top diplomatic and administrative levels, appear to be well-versed in either the purposes or scope of the Mutual Security Program for Indonesia. Due to the limited amount of local publicity given shipments of MSP (MDAP) equipment received in the past, the average “man on the street” is not aware of the program. Indonesian National Police and Mobile Brigade reaction to MSP (MDAP) has been excellent but the other Indonesian armed forces, having received none of the equipment, exhibit a certain amount of jealousy. Their lower ranks express the general opinion that we are favoring [Page 719] the National Police. Since the National Police work side by side with the other military forces on internal security matters, such a feeling appears to be only natural.
5. There have been no deliveries of major items of MSP equipment during the six-months period covered by this report, and the non-receipt of major items, particularly vehicles and automatic weapons, has presented a problem to the administrative staff of the Mobile Brigade in planning their unit training phases, future operations, and utilization of their supply and warehousing facilities. Information available to the MAAG–Indonesia on which to base estimates of future delivery dates is inadequate, since a delay of from 4 to 8 months between estimated delivery date and actual receipt of equipment precludes advance planning for storage and distribution. This is particularly true in the case of Indonesia, where even minimal storage facilities are at a premium.
Chief, MAAG–Indonesia