ACHMED SOEKARNO, PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-01617A000300080001-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 21, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 21, 1948
• Content Type: IM

Approved For Release : CIA-RD78-01617A000300080001-6
21 December 1948
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM NO. 107
SUBJECT: Achmed Soekarno, President of the Republic of Indonesia,
1. Soekarno played the major role in proclaiming the inde-
pendence of the Indonesian Republic, became its first president, and
formed its first cabinet. Ostensibly because of his collaboration
with the Japanese, the Dutch r efused to negotiate with him. He there-
upon charged Sjahrir with the formation of a new cabinet, more accept-
able to the Dutch. In spite of his record of collaboration, Indonesian
opinion in Java holds that Soekarno remains primarily a nationalist,
and regards him as the national hero. Soekarno is a leader in the poli-
tical rather than the economic field. His magnetic personality and -
outstanding ortorical ability have won for him the support of native's
massess. Artistic and emotional, he is described as being very charming,
approachable, and adept in personal conversation.. He speaks English,.
Dutch and Malay.
2. Dutch distrust of Soekarno has persisted throughout three
years of negotiations. The present Dutch attitude may be traced back to
Soekarno's consistent opposition to Netherlands control of Indonesia.
Despite Soekarno's strong stand against Communist insurgents in September
and October of this year, official Dutch reports imply that he leans
strongly towards Communism. Impartial foreign observers, however, includ-
ing members of the UN Good Offices Committee, tend to regard Soekarno as a
determined nationalist, who headed a relatively moderate government.
Documen
NO CHAT
copy: mpp
12/21/48
J-A
Approved For Release : CIA-RDP78-01617A00