Adam Malik, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia
Brent Scowcroft,
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
DATE AND TIME: Thursday, October 7, 1976 5:00 p.m. PLACE: The
President's Suite The Beverly Hilton Los Angeles
President: We think we are on the right track and I think our relations
will allies have never been better. I am glad the President is well and
things are going well. I appreciate my relationship with him and I hope
it will continue to develop.
Malik: Your visit was too short. You must come back.
President: I want to go to Bali.
Malik: We would like to say to the President that PL 480 has been dealt with properly and
there is a chance of obtaining additional aid in the future.
On other pending matters, we would be pleased to resume them after our
election.
President: That is not much longer. We consider our friendship important
to us and the free world. We want to do everything possible to maximize
our relationship.
Malik: We are pleased to hear that.
President: What is your reaction to this UN
session?
Malik: I think it more moderate on very controversial matters. Korea was
luckily pushed aside. Also Africa, thanks to Secretary Kissinger. We feel the
general situation is better than previously.
President: That is our impression. There is much work to be done but it
is best done in a constructive atmosphere.
Malik: There are some new countries which want to make a fuss, but
nothing important.
President: It is strange to realize that a country the size of Indonesia
has one vote and one with 50, 000 people also has one vote.
Malik: I think there needs to be a process of education in the UN, so there is also a sense of
responsibility. There is Lebanon, which is delicate, but there is no
unity among the Arabs, so not much chance for solution.
President: We are anxious for Lebanon to be settled. We want to preserve
its independence and integrity. It is a terrible tragedy but we think it
is moving slowly to get better.
Malik: I think it is important for us all to do what we can, but the
parties in the area are crucial.
President: It was very nice to see you. Please give my very best regards
to President Suharto.
1 Source: Ford Library, National
Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 21. Secret; Nodis. Ford’s talking points from
Scowcroft
stated, “There are no major contentious issues in our relations with
Indonesia.” The memorandum noted that the United States had
increased Indonesia’s PL–480
commodity support by 200,000 extra tons of rice and its grant
military aid by $9.8 million, adding, “The Indonesians have been
informed of your decision and are very pleased by it.” (Ibid.,
Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 6,
Indonesia [7]).