Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXIII, Southeast Asia

284. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Indonesia⁰

Washington, August 2, 1962, 1:35 p.m.

132. Eyes only for Ambassador. No other distribution. Your 200.¹ If question of President’s conversation with Subandrio comes up during your discussion with Sukarno, you should state that you have not yet received full details but are fully aware of the most serious view the President would take if there were an outbreak of fighting with respect to West Irian when Indonesia has secured its primary objective by diplomatic and peaceful means. More detail contained in message you received through another channel.²

FYI. The President’s discussion with Subandrio was friendly but entirely frank and firm, emphasizing that world would not be able to understand if Indonesians embarked upon tortuous and unpredictable path of military action when objective has been accomplished.

Subandrio subsequently described conversation as very hard-hitting and told Department officer he had not conveyed full flavor of President’s firm attitude to Sukarno. Subandrio personally appeared to have accepted President’s statement without rancor. Undoubtedly President’s frank and firm presentation of our position resulted in Subandrio’s decision remain in Washington and his acceptance preliminary understanding. End FYI.

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 656.9813/8–262. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Bell and Rusk, cleared by Harriman and Stone, and approved by Rusk.
1. In telegram 200, August 2, Jones reported that he was seeing Sukarno and Subandrio on August 3. As Subandrio’s discussion with Kennedy on July 26 was likely to be discussed, Jones needed a summary of the discussion. (Ibid.)
2. Not further identified.