26. Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson1
The Attorney General’s mission is apparently accomplished. Despite Sukarno’s growls he did call a cease-fire (though continuing his subversion in Malaya proper which we’ll have to watch). The Tunku in turn has agreed to a foreign ministers’ meeting without insisting on recognition first.
Even the British are grateful, though constantly fearful of Indo trickery.2 Bobby sees Home for lunch Sunday.3
Best word is that the AG will be back here about 7:30 pm Sunday. We don’t want to overplay his mission because the deal may yet fall apart; yet we do want to convey the feeling that we’ve got things moving in the right direction, so as to make it harder for Sukarno, the Tunku, or the UK to insult us by reneging. Would you want to give Bobby any special reception?
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of Robert W. Komer, Malaysia, Dec. 1963–Mar. 1966. Secret.↩
- Telegram 35123 from London, January 26, contains an account of Kennedy’s discussion with British Prime Minister Home. Telegram 3497 from London, January 25, contains an account of Kennedy’s discussion with British Foreign Secretary Butler. (Both, National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 7 US–KENNEDY) In a brief memorandum to the President, January 27, which Johnson saw, Komer noted that the “British, while highly suspicious of Sukarno, were signed on by Bobby (indeed they talked more about Cyprus than Malaysia). So it still looks like a very successful mission, though we’ve only bought time and reversed the trend towards crisis. Tough job now will be to promote a negotiated compromise.” (Johnson Library, National Security File, International Meetings and Travel, Attorney General’s Trip, [1/64])↩
- January 26.↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩