Office of the Historian

82. 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 5, 1964.

Mac—

Bill B. feels we’ve got to start rolling on a successor to Howard Jones, who’s not in best of health, has been in Djakarta almost seven years, and is nibbling at offer to be head of East-West Center in Hawaii.

Bill had hoped to tap Gale McGee (if defeated). Now he has no other candidate than Jake Beam. Jake’s a good, solid guy but not man I’d choose to deal with Sukarno. Bill would like Wilson Wyatt, but we recall that the Oval Room put the kibosh on him. Is a rehearing possible?2 Wyatt would be great.

I’m quite worried lest, on top of all the other anti-Bung gestures we’re making these days, pulling out Howard would be wholly misconstrued by the Bung. Ergo, unless we can find a really good man quick, why not keep Jones there a few months longer while we search.

Bill wants a quick reading on WH sentiment. What’s your reaction?3

RWK
  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Indonesia, Vol. III, Memos, 9/64–2/65, [2 of 2]. Secret.↩
  2. At this point Bundy wrote: “Yes it is. McGB.”↩
  3. At this point Bundy wrote: “Let’s get a strong rec for Wyatt. McGB.” Komer wrote, “Byroade” at the bottom of the text.↩