184. Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)0
McGB
Nasser Visit
I have passed on to Phil Talbot and Bowles office our feeling that, in view of the President’s obvious concern over the implications of a Nasser visit, it would be better not to press it at the moment. Rather than force the issue on this major foreign policy initiative and risk a turndown, it might be wiser to see how the initial overtures to Nasser (e.g. PL-480 offer, agreement to provide a planner, Bowles’ visit) come out. If Nasser’s reception is sufficiently positive, we then have better grounds for justifying a Presidential invite. Note that Nasser’s reception of JFK letter announcing Bowles’ visit and PL-480 offer was most cordial.
Talbot is in complete accord. He had already assured Mike Feldman that proposals for Nasser visit were only tentative and that we would wait and see how earlier overtures came out before making any [Page 457] firm decision. However, Phil feels that he must come forward with a recommendation that we reserve space on President’s calendar for an April visit because once we get to point of decision there will be very little time left to make proper arrangements (Protocol requires at least three weeks). So Phil feels he must have all the staff work ready (we can of course sit on it when it comes over, if time not ripe).
Bowles, however, would dearly love to discuss the visit when he sees Nasser. One idea he has is to raise the topic as a “personal” idea with the idea of getting Nasser to realize the problems which a visit would create for both sides. Alternatively, if Bowles’ reaction during his first talk with Nasser (14 February) were favorable, he would cable back recommendation for visit in hopes he could extend invite during second talk (17 February). I am sure that Bowles will want to discuss above with JFK when he sees him early next week.1 To me, both options are worth considering. But above all I hope that Bowles pushing of Nasser visit will not give it kiss of death. Therefore, if you think time not ripe, let’s be sure to clue Bowles not even to raise issue with JFK.
As to discussion with President of whole Egypt problem I infer that you prefer to hold this off until after more returns are in. Amen.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Country Series, United Arab Republic, Nasser Visit. Secret. A copy was sent to Kaysen.↩
- Bowles met with President Kennedy from noon to 12:25 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6. (Ibid., President’s Appointment Books) No record of the conversation has been found.↩