Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXVI, Indonesia; Malaysia-Singapore; Philippines

85. Note From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)¹

Washington, November 19, 1964.

Mac—

FYI we’ve growing evidence that quite a domestic flap is brewing in Indonesia between PKI and anti-PKI groups, perhaps to a degree the start of jockeying for power in anticipation of Sukarno’s demise.

At any rate Jones argues eloquently (Djakarta 919 attached)² that this is all the more reason for renewing our efforts to defuse Malaysia crisis, lest this be used by Subandrio and PKI (with or without Sukarno) as excuse for re-imposing unity.

As you know, I’ve been badgering FE not to give up on efforts to buy time here.³ We have little to lose, and a lot to gain. But the FE experts seem tired of the game, and tend (probably with some reason) to discount Jones. They keep telling me we’ve tried all Jones’ remedies before, so why mount up again.

However, I’m still playing devil’s advocate (the last Sukarno-lover). Even at risk of some caustic response from Bill about my badgering, you might stick in a needle too.

RWK

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Indonesia, Vol. III, 9/64–2/65, [2 of 2]. Secret.
2. See footnote 2, Document 84.
3. Most recently in a memorandum to William Bundy, November 17. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of Robert W. Komer, Indonesia, Nov. 63–Mar 66, [1 of 3])