Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Indonesia, Volume XVII

105. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State⁰

Djakarta, May 20, 1958, 5 p.m.

4301. For Assistant Secretary Robertson from Ambassador Jones. Deptel 3343.¹ I am more and more convinced most important single step US can take in present situation is public statement sympathetic to GOI by Secretary (or President). I cannot emphasize too strongly importance of official statement being made in Washington. Everybody here is hanging on hope of favorable statement from Secretary and Djuanda said so explicitly at reception this morning (Embtel 4300).² Forthright statement now on part US can be, I believe, turning point in US-Indonesian relations and serve concomitantly to weaken Indonesian ties with Soviet bloc. In terms of maximum usefulness here, it seems clear from Indonesian reactions during conversations in past few days that strong point to be made in statement is US support for GOI and US willingness to intercede in effort to put a stop to bombings and foreign aid to rebels. At minimum statement should include following:

1. Strong expression of concern over continuing bloodshed combined with expression of hope and confidence conflict will soon be concluded and peace and stability restored to area.

2. US view GOI rebellion is internal affair and reassurance to GOI that US is doing what it can to discourage foreign adventurers and aid to rebels.

3. Unequivocal [indication?] of US good will toward and active support for GOI in efforts to maintain independence and national integrity.

At this stage I trust no conditions will be stated or implied since Indonesian sensitivity is so great on this point, even implication of conditions would largely destroy value of statement.³

Jones

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/5–2058. Top Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution.
1. Telegram 3343, May 18, informed Jones that the Department regretted the bombings at Amboina just as Jones was exploring the situation further and was pursuing the matter as expressed in telegram 3335 (Document 102). Jones was also informed that at the Secretary’s upcoming press conference he is considering making “statement along lines suggested by Subandrio Embtel 4266 [Document 101].” (Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/5–1858)
2. Telegram 4300, May 20, reported that President Sukarno delivered a speech that day for National Reawakening Day that was “more favorable to US than any previously delivered since rebellion.” (Ibid., 756D.00/5–2058) See Supplement.

3. During his May 20 press conference Dulles stated that the United States believes “that the situation can be and should be dealt with as an Indonesian matter by the Indonesians without intrusion from without, and we hope that there will be quickly restored peace and stability in the Indonesian Republic.” For text of his remarks, see Department of State Bulletin, June 9, 1958, pp. 945–946.

   According to telegram 4323 from Djakarta, May 22, Foreign Minister Subandrio told the press on May 21, after meeting with Prime Minister Djuanda, that Dulles’ statement “can be seen as step forward if his words are to be taken as affirmation of U.S. Government’s attitude reflecting its full confidence in Indonesian Government’s ability to deal with present situation in interests of and for good of Indonesian people themselves. Indonesian Government certainly hopes for an observance of Dulles’ statement so that there will be no more misgivings on part of Indonesian people as to U.S. Government’s attitude toward rebels.” (Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/5–2258)