98. Letter From President Nixon to Indonesian President Suharto, Washington, July 12, 1973.1 2
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
His Excellency
General Suharto
President of the Republic of Indonesia Jakarta
July 12, 1973
Dear Mr. President:
Thank you for your letter, delivered by General Hasnan Habib on May 15, in which you described Indonesia’s maritime security problem. I am pleased that the destroyer escort which the United States Navy recently transferred to your Navy is already proving of assistance in this regard.
I fully understand your interest in obtaining three additional destroyer escorts of the Claud Jones class. I can assure you, Mr. President, that Indonesia’s need for ships of this type is being given priority consideration. The three U.S. Navy ships that might fulfill your needs presently are performing missions with the U.S. fleet. However, it is my hope that at least one of these ships can be made available early in the coming year and the remainder early in the following year. Ambassador Galbraith will be in touch with your Government when specific arrangements for transferring these ships can definitely be confirmed.
May I again express my admiration for the progress which Indonesia has made under your leadership. As you know, my Government wants to do what it can, within the limits of our resources, to assist your country’s outstanding efforts to add to the stability of Southeast Asia.
With warm personal regards,
Sincerely,
[signed]
Richard Nixon
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 755, Presidential Correspondence, Indonesia, Suharto [1970–1974]. No classification marking. On August 7, Clements informed Kissinger that the Department of Defense would be able to transfer the destroyer escorts to Indonesia “approximately within the time frame desired.” (Ibid., Country Files, Far East, Box 533, Indonesia, Volume 4, 1 January 1973–)↩
- Nixon replied to Suharto’s request for three destroyer escorts.↩