Office of the Historian

105. Telegram From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (William Bundy) and the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (McGeorge Bundy) to the Ambassador to Indonesia (Jones)1

Washington, February 11, 1965, 0049Z.

CAP 65036. CAS Djakarta pass to Forrestal2 from Bundys.

Glad you will have further talk with Sukarno. Regard occasion as valuable opportunity to express President’s personal interest and concern and to probe as fully and frankly as possible Sukarno’s intentions. Suggest that you tell him of President’s deep regard for Indo people. Suggest you also express President’s puzzlement and concern with direction of Indo-U.S. relations over past several months. President has held firm against rising tide of public and Congressional criticism and alarm regarding Indonesia. But President himself needs reassurance regarding Indo intentions, both privately from Sukarno through you and publicly through acts and words that would counter present impression of alienation between our nations.

Bearing in mind wide range of factors, we do not feel it possible or wise at this point to commit President to unspecified initiatives with Sukarno. We would rather not go beyond outstanding offer to receive Sukarno this spring if he comes to New York (Deptel 554 and Embtel 1182),3 leaving question of initiatives until we can see some useful point of application. Suggest, however, that you and Galbraith express President’s willingness to consider any thoughts Sukarno may have regarding ways to improve our relations and reduce tensions in the region.

  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Indonesia, Vol. III, Memos, 9/64–2/65, [2 of 2]. Secret. Not sent over Department of State communications channels.↩
  2. Michael V. Forrestal traveled to Djakarta after serving on McGeorge Bundy’s mission to South Vietnam in early February. Reports of Forrestal’s discussions with Indonesian officials are in National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 7 US/Forrestal and POL INDON.↩
  3. Document 96 and footnote 5 thereto.↩