290. Memorandum From President Nixon to his Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1

[Omitted here is information unrelated to Indonesia.]

On Indonesia, Suharto wants training rather than weapons as I understand it. This should be a very easy request to fill. In any event, I hereby direct that we go forward on the Indonesian military request in the event that Suharto wants it, particularly since it is minimal and completely consistent with the Nixon Doctrine. McCain tells me that Djakarta has ordered the Soviet technicians out. They have no spare parts for their Soviet equipment and, consequently, may have to come to us eventually for equipment.2

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 559, Country Files, Far East, Southeast Asia, 1970, Vol. II. Confidential.
  2. According to an April 20 memorandum from the President’s Military Aide General John Hughes to Kissinger, the President met with Admiral John S. McCain, CINCPAC, on April 19. Admiral McCain said that his recent visit to Indonesia was “the first CINCPAC visit there and he had received a good reception.” McCain said that “Suharto felt strongly that the Fort Leavenworth training for his Army officers helped greatly in defeating the communists.” McCain then told the President that the Indonesians were in the process of expelling Soviet technicians, and that the Soviets had not provided spare parts for the equipment that they had furnished. (Ibid.)