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

161. Memorandum for the Record, New York, October 12, 1972, 3:45-4:05 p.m.¹ ²

New York, October 12, 1972, 3:45–4:05 p.m.

MEMORANDUM

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

October 13, 1972

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

The following is a report of a meeting with Mrs. Shih at the Chinese Mission in New York on October 12, 1972.

I entered the Mission at 3:45 p.m. and was greeted by Mrs. Shih and escorted to the second floor. Tea was served and pleasantries exchanged.

Mrs. Shih asked when Dr. Kissinger would be returning, and I told her he should be back by the time I returned. Mrs. Shih then presented the note (attached) and asked if there were any questions. I said the note was clear and I would pass it on as soon as possible.

In the course of conversation, Mrs. Shih mentioned that a Chinese medical delegation was due to arrive in New York today (Thursday) and then proceed to Washington on Friday.

I left the Mission at 4:05 p.m. and telephoned the gist of the message to Col. Kennedy.

FYI: The plain clothesmen outside the Mission are becoming increasingly aggressive in requiring identification. I danced away from this one but in the future, Mrs. Shih should be at the door at the appropriate time to assist entry.

V. James Fazio

Deputy Director

Situation Room

1. The Chinese side agrees in principle to the idea put forward by Dr. Kissinger on October 3 about the U.S. side sending a mission to China to discuss the prospects of the normalization of Sino-U.S. relations. Premier Chou En-lai welcomes Dr. Kissinger to come personally again on this mission to China. The specific date of the visit can be discussed and decided upon through this channel after being suggested by the U.S. side.

2. The U.S. side is aware of the position of the Chinese side on the Viet Nam question. The Chinese side hopes that the U.S. and Vietnamese sides will be able to reach an agreement on the settlement of the Viet Nam question.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 850, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, June 25, 1972-Oct 17, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Fazio on October 13. Attached is the Chinese message, upon which is written: “Handed to Fazio by Mrs. Shih 10/12/72.”
2. Deputy Director of the White House Situation Room Fazio indicated that he and Shih Yen-hua of the Chinese Mission to the UN discussed President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger’s return. Shih Yen-hua provided Fazio with a message that indicated Chinese support for another Kissinger visit and expressed the Chinese hope that the United States and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam would reach an agreement on the settlement of the Vietnam war.