The Ford-Kissinger-Soeharto conspiracy doomed E. Timor
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The following are excerpts of the transcript of discussion between Presidents Gerald Ford and Soeharto in Jakarta on Dec. 6, 1975, taken from a telegram message sent by the American Embassy in Jakarta to the State Department in Washington. Present at the meeting were State Secretary Henry Kissinger, U.S. Ambassador XX Newsom, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Adam Malik and Indonesian State Secretary Sudharmono, and an interpreter.
41. Soeharto: After the UDT, Indonesia found itself facing a fait accompli. It is now important to determine what we can to establish peace and order for the present and the future in the interest of the security of the area and Indonesia, These are some of the considerations we are now contemplating. We want you understanding if we deem it necessary to take rapid or drastic action
42. Ford: We will understand and will not press you on the issue. We understand the problem you have and the intentions you have.
43. Kissinger: You appreciate that the use of US-made arms could create problems.
44. Ford: We could have technical and legal problems. You are familiar, Mr. President, with the problems we had on Cyprus although this situation is different.
45. Kissinger: It depends on how we construe it. Whether it is in self defense or is a foreign operation. It is important that whatever you do succeeds quickly. We would be able to influence the reaction in America if there would be less chance of people talking in unauthorized way. The president will be back on Monday at 2:00 pm Jakarta time. We understand your problem and the need to move quickly. But I am only saying that it would be better if it were done after we returned.
49. Kissinger: If you have made plans, we will do our best to keep everyone quiet until the President returns.
50. Do you anticipate a long guerrilla war there?
51. There will probably be a small guerrilla war, the local kings are important, however, and they are on our side. The UDT represents former soldiers, they are infected the same as is the Portuguese Army with communism.