INDONESIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001000080035-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 24, 2002
• Sequence Number: 35
• Publication Date: December 22, 1958
• Content Type: BRIEF

Documeal 9. 414-
No
Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-REF8R0(3890A001000080035-0
NBC DIMING
22 De
A.
Date: --L 2 ?iJs 0
Contest between army and civilian elements for political con
of country is Continuing with sution and the army recently
losing some ground.
Army hopes steer Indonesia down Middle path between Commus is,a
on left and slea extremism; on right.
key executive, legislative, diplomatic pasts.
government, wants increased number of officers assigned
Nasution has ambitious plans for greater policy role
C. Army already has broad powers under martial law and
representation in cabinet and other government posts.
iL~ t
i
e
ng early this montui (5 Dec) between Sukarno and cabinet
apparently failed to satisfy army's hopes.
Nasutio
i s
participantss decided against at least one r4f
ans--appoimtive legislative seats.
Sukarno and cabinet also decided to trans;
authority over regional barter trade from ltasut ion to
cabinet itself.
Approved For Release 2002/08/12 CIA-RDP79R0089OA001000080035-0
 Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP79R0089OA001000080035-0
IV. Na sution likely to face increasingly stiff opposition from
diverse sources.
A. Communists have already warned of "dangers" inherent in
army an their activities.
Air Force and Navy chiefs also increasingly aware of Nasut xn:s
ascendance which at very least erodes their prestige.
growing army influence.
Other political parties fear heavy suppressive hand of
favored Nassution in recent months as counter-balance
to growing Communist strength.
A. He may now see In Nasution's Increasing stature a threat
to his ors, pro-eminence and remove him,
1. It already seems apparent that Sukarno moving to reduc
Massut ion ? s powers.
There in rumor that persons loyal to Sukarno are
plotting to get rid of lassution; such nieg could have
been stimulated by Sukarno.
C. `hero also rumors Nasution may be planning remove Sukarno;
even though rumors may be ba8elesa, they could have
galvanizing effect on Sukarno who certainly known of them.
Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP79R0089OA001000080035-0