40. Telegram From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State0
3165. Taipei for Robertson. In course of two hour conference Foreign Minister this morning raised subject of arms dropped by planes in Pakanbaru.1 There were two drops regarding which Indo Government had specific information, he said—one on February 26 and one on March 12. The drop on 26th was still on airfield in unopened cases when central government forces took field, he said.
On March 12 4-engine, unidentified plane dropped 20 cases of arms by parachute including Browning 50 caliber machine guns, Sten guns, Bazookas and 75 millimeter rifles. Some of arms still bore stamp of manufacturer in Plymouth, Michigan (Kekeyhayes).
I pointed out that American arms are available for purchase on international market, particularly older types, and observed that indeed bombing operations of central government against rebels were carried out by Indo Air Force using American planes. Foreign Minister said he did not imply US was involved. He referred to statement of Prime Minister reported in Djakarta press this morning showing that Prime Minister had taken same line.
Fortunately Line White’s comments at March 14 press conference2 and Defense Department release3 had just been handed me as I left Chancery for Foreign Office and I showed him these statements remarking that I was sure he would be interested and that I planned to have USIS release them here.
[Page 71]Several times during long conversation, However, he deftly introduced subject of foreign support for Sumatran rebels. At one point, discussing military situation, he said that Sumatran forces were equipped with three weapons to one man whereas central forces had one weapon for every 3 men. At another point he said that from beginning Indonesians had been convinced of foreign participation because laying down of ultimatum followed by proclamation was not Indonesian way of doing things. Indonesians preferred to enter into long discussions and leave way open for compromise. He added GOI had some evidence Taipei involved in assistance to rebels.
I made no comment above observations.
Other subjects discussed being reported separately.4
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/3–1558. Top Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Repeated niact to Taipei.↩
- Jones summarizes this conversation with Subandrio in Indonesia: The Possible Dream (New York, Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1971), pp. 116–117.↩
During his daily press briefing on March 14, White was asked if he would comment on the Indonesian charge that American arms and ammunition were picked up at Pakanbaru after paratroopers seized rebel airfields. He replied as follows as transmitted in telegram 2623 to Djakarta, March 14:
“No. All we know about this, aside from press reports, is the Embassy has informed us of public announcements from Indonesian official sources that American-made arms were air-dropped to insurgents. Further than that we have no information on subject. Now we do note, However, from the tickers that in connection with these reports Indonesian officials have stated there is no evidence of US complicity in this matter. We have received no protest, and as Indonesian officials themselves pointed out, American arms are pretty generally scattered around world, and there is just no indication of source—who bought these, how they got them, etc.” (Department of State, Central Files, 756D.00/3–1458)
↩- Not further identified.↩
The Pakanbaru incident was discussed at a Secretary of State’s staff meeting on March 13. According to the notes of the meeting, the discussion was as follows:
“Mr. Parsons also reported on the fighting in Indonesia and called attention to the statement by an Indonesian Army spokesman that a foreign aircraft dropped weapons of foreign manufacture for the rebels at Pakanbaru. In response to Mr. Henderson’s questions Mr. Parsons and Amb. Allison expressed the belief that, although the Indonesians feel some rancor toward the US, they have also experienced a sense of relief, that the US has not intervened. Mr. Parsons added that he did not consider it likely that Indonesia would manufacture a charge that the US had plotted’ the overthrow of the Central Government as the Egyptians and Syrians have done. Ambassador Allison expressed general agreement with this view.” (Department of State, Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75)
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