Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–13, Documents on China, 1969–1972

131. Memorandum From Winston Lord of the National Security Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, June 5, 1972¹ ²

Washington, June 5, 1972

INFORMATION

June 5, 1972

MEMORANDUM FOR:

• HENRY A. KISSINGER

FROM:

• WINSTON LORD

SUBJECT:

• My June 5 Meeting in New York

Following are the brief highlights of my 25-minute meeting in New York today with Ambassador Huang, covering two subjects, a PRC protest note on intrusion into its airspace and the passing of information on your upcoming trip to the PRC.

PRC Protest

The Ambassador had requested this meeting sometime this afternoon or evening with me or whomever you designated. I thus let him make the first move and without elaboration he handed over the note attached at Tab A, suggesting that I read it. After doing so slowly, I made the comments that you had approved on a contingency basis for the previous meeting: I would report this immediately to you; we would make an immediate investigation; this would be either an accident or in violation of strict orders to stay clear of PRC airspace; the U.S. would have no interest in violating PRC airspace. The Ambassador’s manner was pro forma, and the only comment that he made was that he hoped we would have a response the next time we met. I said that we would look into the matter immediately and give them a response as soon as possible. (Note: The Chinese protest is mild, with the only interesting aspect being the comment that “this intrusion was obviously not inadvertent.”)

HAK Trip to the PRC

After a brief pause the Ambassador then asked me whether we had answers to the proposed new dates for your visit and the revised text of the announcement. I pulled out our message, attached at Tab B, and gave him the highlights before handing it over: We accepted the June 19-23 dates; we had minor editorial changes in their proposed text; and we would like to make the announcement at noon Washington time on June 14.

In response to the Ambassador’s request, I pointed out the precise changes in the text of the announcement which seemed to give him no problem. I said that, of course, in the Chinese announcement the PRC could come before the US. He then asked me if June 13 would be inconvenient for announcing the trip. I replied that it would be, and that we very much hoped to announce it on June 14. He then said that noon Washington time would be midnight Peking time and that this was inconvenient for them. I replied that I thought we might be able to agree to 11:00 o’clock, that I would check immediately upon my return to Washington, and that I would call them right back. (Note As soon as I returned, General Haig told me that 11:00 o’clock was satisfactory and I relayed this to Mrs. Shih at 8:00 p.m. today.)

The Ambassador then read through our entire message, and I pointed out that the technical information regarding the aircraft, etc. was similar to previous trips. I added that it would not be possible for you to arrive in Shanghai before 1700 on June 19.

We then engaged in about 10 minutes of small talk, during which the Ambassador and Mrs. Shih were extremely friendly and made me stay for an extra cup of tea.

cc: General Haig

[Tab A]

At 11:24-11:28 hours on June 4, 1972 (Peking time), a group of four U.S. military planes intruded into China’s airspace over Pinghsiang area, Kwangsi Province from the direction of Viet Nam and penetrated 20 kilometers in width and 30 kilometers in depth. This intrusion was obviously not inadvertent. Against this, the Chinese side lodges a protest with the U.S. side and demands that the U.S. side take effective measures to stop the recurrence of similar intrusions.

[Tab B]

The U.S. side accepts the revised dates proposed by the Chinese side for Dr. Kissinger’s visit to the People’s Republic of China, i.e. June 19-23, 1972. It would like to make the joint public announcement of this visit on June 14, 1972 at noon Washington time. The U.S. side finds generally satisfactory the announcement handed over by the Chinese side on June 3, 1972 but suggests some minor editorial changes which are reflected in the attached text. The U.S. side would appreciate an early response to the proposed text and date for the joint announcement.

Schedule and Party

Dr. Kissinger plans to arrive in Shanghai from either Guam or Anchorage, Alaska at approximately 17:00 local time on June 19, 1972. He plans to depart from Peking at approximately 9:00 local time on June 23, 1972. Dr. Kissinger’s party would include Alfred le S. Jenkins from the State Department, and John H. Holdridge, Winston Lord, Commander Jonathan T. Howe, and either Richard H. Solomon or Richard T. Campbell from Dr. Kissinger’s staff. In addition, there would be three secret service personnel and two secretaries. The final composition of the party and their passport numbers, as well as the names and passport numbers of the aircraft crew, will be provided in the very near future.

Aircraft

The party will travel in a Presidential Boeing 707 aircraft (aircraft tail number 86972, call sign SAM 86972) similar to that used on trips in October, January and February. Fuel and other aircraft services needed will be the same as those provided during Dr. Kissinger’s October visit. It is again desired that the aircraft be utilized for communications with Washington. Therefore, it is requested that an external power source (115 volts, 400 cycles, 3 phase alternating current) and transportation for couriers from the aircraft to the location of the party again be made available around-the-clock. As before the aircraft would plan to communicate on the following frequencies while in Peking:

Voice frequencies: 13215 kilos primary, 9015 kilos secondary, Upper sideband voice

Teletype frequencies: 8047 kilos primary, 6995 kilos secondary.

In accordance with the United States-People’s Republic of China Joint Communique of February 1972, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs, will visit the People’s Republic of China from June 19 to 23, 1972, for concrete consultations with Chinese leaders to further the normalization of relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States and continue to exchange views on issues of common interest.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, March 1, 1972-June 24, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A copy was sent to Haig. Attached at Tab A is the Chinese message, which bears the handwritten notation: “Amb H gave to WL 6/5/72.” Attached at Tab B is the American message.
2. Lord provided highlights of his most recent meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the UN Huang Hua. Topics included a Chinese protest note on U.S. intrusion into Chinese airspace and the revised dates of Kissinger’s impending visit to China.