The Ford-Kissinger-Soeharto conspiracy doomed E. Timor
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.