Office of the Historian

276. Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to President Kennedy0

Washington, July 20, 1962.

The renewed Dutch-Indonesian talks are going well so far. Subandrio talked to Van Roijen last night, and latter reports the atmosphere was most amiable. Though nothing was settled, Van Roijen feels somewhat more encouraged than at any previous time. The talks at Middleburg have resulted in a preliminary understanding on many of the major points necessary to flesh out the Bunker formula (see attached).1

There has been no meeting of minds, however, on the gut issue—timing of transfer to Indonesian administration. The Indos may still insist on short-circuiting the whole UN transition phase in favor of direct transfer, but more likely they will concentrate their fire on shortening the two-year transition period. The Dutch are adamant on the first year (when the Dutch phase out and the UN in), but may agree to shorten the second year (when the UN phases out and the Indos phase in).

Subandrio took a rather strong line on accelerating transfer with Rusk,2 arguing that with 2–3000 paratroopers already in WNG, the Indos could hardly allow a return to the status quo ante. Rusk urged that, with victory within their grasp, the Indonesians not flub the glittering opportunity for a peaceful settlement. He emphasized that we’d already gotten major concessions from the Dutch, and that world opinion would turn against the Indos if they now began insisting on more than the Bunker plan.

Subandrio is trying out his wares on the Attorney General, who is primed to make the same rebuttal.3 But if the Indos keep pushing on accelerated transfer, it may be important for you to weigh in personally with Subandrio, or if necessary write Bung Sukarno.

R.W. Komer
  1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, West New Guinea, General, 7/11/62–7/20/62. Secret. A note on the source text indicates the memorandum was part of the President’s weekend reading, July 20.↩
  2. Nothing was attached, but apparent reference to “Proposals Concerning Indonesia and the Netherlands,” July 19. (Ibid.)↩
  3. An account of Rusk’s and Subandrio’s conversation, July 19, is in a memorandum of conversation, July 19. (Department of State, Central Files, 656.9813/7–1962)↩
  4. See Document 277.↩