Office of the Historian

127. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Harriman) and the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)1

Washington, September 18, 1963—10:05 a.m.

Governor Harriman called Mr. Bundy. He asked what is the reaction to the answer from Lodge.2 Mr. Bundy said he and Mike talked to the President on it a few minutes and he has some ideas which Mike is putting into draft reply.3 He thinks we should be able to stage manage so doesn’t give Mr. Dany comfort and doesn’t undercut Lodge. Thinking about going back to him making mission more palatable. Suggestion personal counsel with people at table yesterday as to how they would advise doing it. They talked about making it military and not joint mission. Governor said Alex4 fairly high fellow in State Dept; also bit brainwashed by Nolting. Mr. Bundy said he would make the point to Secretary. Governor said perhaps Secretary will want to send a lower level fellow. Mr. Bundy said knowing of Governor, Roger, and Mike’s relationship, they would have a representative if Mike went. Mr. Bundy said he would call the Secretary.

  1. Source: Library of Congress, Harriman Papers, Telephone Conversations. No Distribution. Transcribed by Mildred Leatherman.↩
  2. Document 126.↩
  3. For the telegram as sent, see Document 127.↩
  4. U. Alexis Johnson.↩