Indonesia and the East Timor Crisis
126. Memorandum of Conversation, Camp David, Maryland, July 5, 1975, 12:40–2 p.m.
Ford and Suharto discussed economic and foreign policy issues of mutual concern.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 13. Secret; Nodis.
127. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, August 12, 1975.
Habib and Kissinger discussed reports of a coup in Portuguese Timor.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, E5177, Box 8. Secret.
128. Telegram 194779 From the Department of State to the Embassies in Indonesia and Australia, August 16, 1975, 0028Z.
The Department gave its view on the situation in Portuguese Timor.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated for information to Lisbon. Drafted by Ingraham; cleared by Sisco; and approved by Zurhellen.
129. Telegram 10044 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, August 16, 1975, 0810Z.
The Embassy responded to the Department’s telegram on Portuguese Timor.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Canberra and Lisbon.
130. Memorandum From John J. Taylor of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, August 25, 1975.
Taylor recommended that Kissinger direct the under Secretaries Committee to prepare a position paper on the organization of U.S.-Indonesian joint consultative machinery.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–61, NSDM 311, U.S.-Indonesian Consultative Arrangements. Confidential. Sent for action. On the first page of the memorandum, Kissinger wrote, “Change date.” Kissinger also crossed out the due date on the second page. Next to Kissinger’s marginalia on the first page, an unknown hand wrote, “Done—Oct 6, 1975.” Tab A is attached but not published.
131. Telegram 209709 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Indonesia, September 3, 1975, 2339Z.
Habib and Nuryadin discussed Portuguese Timor.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Lisbon and Canberra. Drafted by Ingraham; cleared in S/S; and approved by Habib.
132. Telegram 10849 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, September 4, 1975, 0416Z.
Newsom and Mochtar discussed Portuguese Timor.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Exdis.
133. Memorandum of Conversation, September 5, 1975.
Kissinger and Malik conversed about East Asia, East Timor, and other topics.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy Files, P–820123–1427. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Ingraham; cleared by Habib; and approved by Covey.
134. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Chairman of the Under Secretaries Committee (Ingersoll), Washington, September 15, 1975.
Kissinger asked the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee to prepare a position paper on the organization of U.S.-Indonesian joint consultations.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–72, NSC, U/SM–158, U.S. Indonesian Joint Consultative Group. Confidential. On October 15, Wreatham E. Gathright, the Staff Director of the Under Secretaries Committee, forwarded to the President the requested paper from Ingersoll, October 14, in which the Under Secretaries Committee recommended option 1; a joint consultative commission co-chaired by the Secretary of State and an Indonesian official, and including other relevant officials for a renewable two-year term.
135. Telegram 225061 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Indonesia, September 20, 1975, 1913Z.
The Department reported Murdani’s comments on Timor.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Lisbon and Canberra. Drafted by Gleysteen; cleared in S/S and by Shackley of the CIA; approved by Habib.
136. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, October 8, 1975.
Habib and Kissinger discussed the situation in Portuguese Timor.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, E5177, Box 8. Secret. At the 8 a.m. meeting on October 31, Robert H. Miller, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said, “The Indonesian Foreign Minister is expected to open talks tomorrow on Timor. The pro-Indonesian forces are gradually making progress on the ground.” Kissinger remarked, “It is going to wind up with Timor going to Indonesia.” Miller replied, “I think so. Maybe within a couple of months.” (Ibid., Box 9)
137. Memorandum of Conversation, Camp David, Maryland, October 29, 1975, 4 p.m.
Scowcroft and Moertopo discussed East Asian affairs.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 16. Secret. The meeting was held in Scowcroft’s office. Scowcroft’s talking points are ibid., Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia (3).
138. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Ford, Washington, October 30, 1975.
Kissinger recommended that Ford approve the issuance of a NSDM proposing a single Joint U.S.-Indonesia Consultative Commission.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–61, NSDM 311: U.S.-Indonesian Consultative Arrangements. Confidential. Sent for action. Tab A is attached. Tab B, the recommendations from the Undersecretaries Committee, is described in the source note for Document 134. Ford initialed the“approve” option. A notation at the top of the first page reads, “Signed 10/31.”
139. National Security Decision Memorandum 311, Washington, November 1, 1975.
Kissinger issued NSDM 311 concerning U.S.-Indonesia Consultative Arrangements.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–69, NSDM Originals (2 of 2) (1), NSDM 301–NSDM 315. Confidential. Copies were sent to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Administrator of the Agency for International Development, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Director of Central Intelligence.
140. Memorandum From Kenneth Quinn of the National Security Council staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, December 4, 1975.
[text not declassified in time for publication]
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia (4). Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. Scowcroft wrote “Thanks” near the top of the memorandum. Tab A (background information and talking points), Tab B (responses to journalistic questions), and Tab C (Telegram 285276 to the Secretary of State while traveling, December 4) are attached, but not published.
141. Telegram 14946 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, December 6, 1975, 1000Z.
Newsom sent Washington a memorandum of conversation from Ford’s meeting with Suharto.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia, State Department Telegrams to SECSTATE, NODIS (3). Secret; Priority; Nodis. The President’s Daily Diary indicates that Ford and Suharto met from 8:05 until 9:30 on September 6. (Ford Library, Staff Secretary’s Office, President’s Daily Diary)
142. Telegram 14947 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, December 6, 1975, 1200Z.
Newsom sent Washington an account of Kissinger’s breakfast meeting with Malik.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia, State Department Telegrams to SECSTATE, NODIS (3). Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Kissinger and Malik met for breakfast before the 8:05 a.m. meeting between Kissinger and Suharto.
143. Memorandum From Thomas J. Barnes of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, December 9, 1975
Barnes sent Scowcroft a memorandum recommending that the United States avoid involvement in the dispute over Portuguese Timor.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia (5). Secret; Sensitive. Sent for urgent action. Scowcroft wrote “Is this true?” next to a statement on the first page that“The Indonesian intervention in Timor is attracting increasingly bitter attention at the UN and in the media.” On the last page, Scowcroft check marked his approval of the first recommendation and his disapproval of the second. Tab A, undated press guidance for Ron Nessen, is attached but not published. Tab B, telegram 288596 to the Secretary, December 7, is attached but not published. Tab C, undated suggested questions and answers for Ron Nessen, is also attached but not published.
144. Memorandum From Thomas J. Barnes of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, December 12, 1975.
Barnes sent Scowcroft a memorandum on Indonesia’s future prospects in Portuguese Timor.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia (6). Top Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Tab A is attached but not published. Scowcroft wrote “Thanks” and initialed the memorandum. The same day, Granger sent Scowcroft a memorandum on Indonesian use of MAP equipment in Timor. (Ibid.)
145. Telegram 15438 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, December 17, 1975, 0742Z.
The Embassy reported on U.S.-Indonesian relations.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated priority to USUN New York and for information to Canberra, Lisbon, Medan, Surabaya.
146. Memorandum From Secretary of State Kissinger to the Under Secretary for Security Assistance (Maw), Washington, December 19, 1975
A memorandum from Kissinger asked Maw to suspend MAP grants and FMS sales to Indonesia.
Source: Library of Congress, Henry Kissinger Papers, Geopolitical File, CL 151, Indonesia, 1973–75, Folder 7. Secret.
147. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, December 23, 1975, 8:12 a.m.
Kissinger and his aides discussed the situation in East Timor.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, E5177, Box 9. Secret. Habib referred to a letter from Gary Hart to Rumsfeld. The letter, December 16, asked whether U.S. weapons were used in the Indonesian invasion of East Timor and whether U.S. officials possessed foreknowledge of the Indonesian plans. (Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia [6])
148. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, January 12, 1976, 8:11 a.m.
Kissinger and his aides discussed the situation in East Timor.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, E5177, Box 9. Secret. The minutes are incorrectly dated January 12, 1975.
149. Telegram 1151 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, January 27, 1976, 0851Z.
The Embassy reported an Australian query regarding U.S. military assistance to Indonesia.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Cherokee; Nodis.
150. Telegram 1239 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, January 28, 1976, 0851Z.
The Embassy evaluated the situation in Timor and its implications for military assistance to Indonesia.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia, State Department Telegrams to SECSTATE, NODIS (4). Secret; Cherokee; Nodis.
151. Telegram 1250 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, January 28, 1976, 0928Z.
Newsom described a meeting with Malik on Timor.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia, State Department Telegrams to SECSTATE, NODIS (4). Secret; Cherokee; Nodis.
152. Telegram 2098 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, February 17, 1976, 0541Z.
The Embassy reported on military assistance to Indonesia.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia, State Department Telegrams to SECSTATE, NODIS (4). Secret; Nodis.
153. Memorandum From Thomas J. Barnes of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft), Washington, February 18, 1976.
Barnes sent Scowcroft a memorandum on contingency planning for military supply to Indonesia.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6, Indonesia (7). Secret; Nodis. Sent for information. Don McDonald of the NSC staff initialed his concurrence. At the bottom of the page, in response to Barnes’ statement about the dangers of a study, Scowcroft wrote, “Should it be turned off?” Tab A, telegram 2097 from Jakarta, February 17, is in the National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. On February 22, Scowcroft wrote a note to Barnes, “Tom—I do not believe a study is necessary but I hope some thought is being given to the question. Brent.” (Ibid.)
154. Telegram 5606 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, April 29, 1976, 0400Z.
The Embassy gave a brief overview on Indonesian use of U.S. arms in Timor.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Exdis. Telegram 101116 to the Secretary’s Delegation, April 30, provided the text of an April 14 letter from Senators Humphrey and Case stating that USG representations to the GOI had apparently been ignored.
155. Telegram 6442 From the Embassy in Indonesia to the Department of State, May 17, 1976, 0235Z.
The Embassy warned that Indonesia would soon become aware of delays in MAP training.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Immediate; Nodis.