Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume IX, Vietnam, October 1972–January 1973

235. Backchannel Message From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to the Ambassador to Vietnam (Bunker)¹

Washington, December 28, 1972.

WHS 2296. Ref: WHS 2294.²

1. This message is for your eyes only and should not be shared with anyone.

2. DRV has accepted procedures outlined reftel. Accordingly, we plan to make following announcement at 10:00 a.m. Washington time on Saturday, December 30: “Negotiations between Dr. Kissinger and Special Adviser Le Duc Tho and Minister Xuan Thuy will be resumed on January 8. Technical talks between experts of the two sides will be resumed on January 2”.

3. We plan to cease bombing above the 20th parallel at approximately 1900 hours (Washington time) on Friday, December 29. This will become publicly apparent about the same time as above announcement. We will confirm here when asked.

4. President would like you to give advance word of these developments to President Thieu. You should arrange an appointment for Saturday your time not before noon to inform him of the new meeting dates, announcement, and bombing limitation. You should give no other explanation but be sure that there is no mistaking our firm intention to proceed along the lines which Haig told him and that we expect cooperation. You also should emphasize that it is essential there be no advance leaks of these developments.

5. The President also would appreciate before you leave an assessment of the degree of resistance we are likely to encounter and how best to proceed with Thieu.

6. We are sorry for any inconvenience which this may cause and we will do our best to leave you an undisturbed (and well-deserved) respite in Kathmandu, but it will be essential that you be in Saigon by opening of business January 4. Warmest regards and best wishes again to you and Carol.

1. Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 45, Geopolitical File, Vietnam, Cables, Dec. 1972–Apr. 1975. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusive Eyes Only.
2. Not found. It presumably transmitted the substance of the U.S proposal that certain procedures regarding issues to be discussed and dates of meetings be adopted for the January negotiations. See Documents 226 and 231.