Office of the Historian

248. Memorandum of a 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, October 30, 1963—12:25 p.m.

Harriman said he had had a talk after Bundy left about Lodge and the Embassy. Harriman said he had been reading the telegrams.2 McNamara was indignant Harkins was not asked about military assessment… .3 Harriman said Harkins’ assessment is not accurate. Harriman said he thought Bundy should bear this in mind in connection with what he might say. Harriman said he had a great deal of misgivings about the competence of Harkins’ staff. He said he thought Trueheart has done a good job.

  1. Source: Library of Congress, Harriman Papers, Telephone Conversations. Transcribed by Dolores P Perruso of Harriman’s staff.↩
  2. Apparent reference to Documents 240, 246, and 247.↩
  3. Ellipsis in the source text.↩