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

134. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, June 11, 1972¹ ²

Washington, June 11, 1972

June 11, 1972

MEMORANDUM FOR

• THE RECORD

FROM:

• ALEXANDER M. HAIG

SUBJECT:

• Telephone Conversation with Mrs. Shih, Sunday, June 11, 1972

After my telephone discussion with Dr. Kissinger Sunday evening Washington time, I spoke to Mrs. Shih and conveyed to her the message Dr. Kissinger and I had discussed, emphasizing that we had just instituted the strictest disciplinary controls and were also revising our operating instructions to preclude any possibility of a repeat incident. I pointed out that both Dr. Kissinger and the President had directed this action in view of the seriousness of the reported incident and that the new restrictions and disciplinary controls were being instituted prior to completion of an urgent investigation of the matter so as to be sure that future incidents cannot occur. I pointed out that President Nixon was greatly distressed by their report and that he wished to express his sincerest regrets that an incident as that reported over Chinese territory could occur (I carefully avoided inferring that the action we had taken or our apologies were associated with the Chinese complaint about their merchant vessel.) Mrs. Shih appeared very relieved at the promptness and character of our response and I urged her to request that the Ambassador flash this oral response immediately to Peking so that her government would be completely aware of the seriousness with which our side viewed the reported incident and of our determination to preclude such incidents in the future. I informed her that we would provide a complete written explanation of all the incidents reported to us when the urgent and detailed investigations now underway were completed.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files, Far East, China, PRC Allegations of Hostile Acts [ca. 6/72]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The time of the telephone conversation is not indicated on the memorandum.
2. President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs Haig explained to Shih Yen-hua of the PRC Mission to the United Nations that both President Nixon and his Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger had instituted procedures to prevent further violations of Chinese airspace.