Office of the Historian

209. National Security Study Memorandum 1481

Washington, March 9, 1972.

TO

  • The Secretary of State
  • The Secretary of Defense
  • The Attorney General
  • The Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare
  • The Director of Central Intelligence
  • The Science Advisor to the President

SUBJECT

  • US–PRC Exchanges

The President has directed that a study be made of ways in which US–PRC exchanges in such fields as science, technology, culture, sports, and journalism, agreed on in the Joint United States-PRC Communiqué, can be facilitated.

The study should identify US interests and objectives to be pursued through these programs. The study also should address PRC attitudes and practices in such exchange programs, including the role of governmental and nongovernmental institutions and PRC political objectives in promoting or permitting such exchanges.

The study should include consideration of the following issues:

  • —The roles which should be played by US governmental and nongovernmental institutions and the relationship of the US Government to nongovernmental institutions included in such programs. An assessment and the pros and cons of particular private nongovernmental groups which might be considered as chosen instruments to further exchanges should be included.
  • —Ways in which direct contact in a third-nation capital should be used to facilitate the implementation of the Communiqué understanding.
  • —Specific types of exchanges to which the US should give priority and the means to promote these particular areas.
  • —Other problems associated with exchanges such as funding, security and legal implications.

The study should be prepared by an ad hoc group comprising representatives of the addressees and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and chaired by the representative of the [Page 844] Secretary of State. The completed study should be submitted to the Senior Review Group no later than March 24, 1972.2

Henry A. Kissinger
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 86, Country Files, Far East, U.S. China Policy, 1969–1972. Secret.↩
  2. Irwin asked John Richardson, Jr., Assistant Secretary of State for Cultural Affairs, to chair the ad hoc group. (Memorandum from Hartman to Richardson, March 10; ibid., RG 59, S/S Files: Lot 80 D 212, National Security Files, NSSM 148)↩