444. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
New York, November 17, 1971,
2336Z.
4314. Subj: PRC Statement in GA.
- 1.
- Bouayad (Algeria) approached MISOFF November 17 to query why Bush had released statement to press re PRC’s statement in plenary November 15.2 MISOFF replied that this was matter which had been considered very carefully and that statement by PRC could not be left unanswered in view US public opinion. Bouayad said that it fortunate US had not replied in GA to PRC statement since statement was generally mild and merely restatement of PRC policy.
- 2.
- MISOFF acknowledged that this may be case, but that it [not?] possible for US overlook such a statement in view of lively interest by US public opinion in what PRC does and says. Bouayad said he understood US position and remarked that Vice FonMin Ch’iao Kuanhua had seen Algerian Perm Rep Rahal November 12 to go over speech. According Bouayad, speech was far more abusive against US and that Rahal had managed clean up speech to great extent. Only point which had been over-emphasized perhaps was question of Palestinians on which Algerians felt very strongly. He said this information should be closely kept. When asked whether Algerians being front runners for PRC del, Bouayad said no and that they speaking to PRC as equals. Bouayad further pointed out that PRC del is totally unfamiliar with procedures in UN and is still feeling its way around and thus consulting with friendly delegations.
Bush