Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXVII, Mainland Southeast Asia; Regional Affairs

188. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson¹

Washington, July 8, 1966, 8 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Eugene Black Mission to Cambodia

We now have Chet Bowlesʼ report of his meeting with the Cambodian Ambassador in New Delhi.²

Bowles was frank and conciliatory, but the Cambodian was obviously not free to be responsive until he had checked back with Sihanouk. The next few days should reveal the Princeʼs reaction to Bowlesʼ proposals for an expanded ICC, resumed diplomatic relations without preconditions, and a possible visit by some U.S. official to Phnom Penh.

Meanwhile, Michael Stewart is pushing Gromyko for reconsideration of the negative Soviet position on expansion of the ICC. We should have some further word in the week ahead.

In view of these two developments, State suggests—and I concur—that we hold off on any approach to the Cambodians about an early Eugene Black visit pending Sihanoukʼs response to our New Delhi initiative.³

Walt

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Cambodia, Vol. IV, Memos 10/65–9/67. Secret.
2. See footnote 2, Document 187.
3. The approved line is checked indicating Johnsonʼs approval.