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

164. Memorandum for the Record, New York, October 27, 1972, 8:40-9 p.m.¹ ²

New York, October 27, 1972, 8:40-9 p.m.

MEMORANDUM

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

Following is a report of a meeting with Mrs. Shih at the Chinese Mission in New York on October 27, 1972.

I entered the Chinese Mission at 8:40 p.m., was met by Mrs. Shih, and escorted to the second floor. Tea was served and pleasantries exchanged.

I presented the notes to Mrs. Shih (attached) which she carefully read and had no questions.

In the subsequent conversation, Mrs. Shih said that the November 1 date suggested for dinner was acceptable to the Vice Foreign Minister and the Ambassador. She asked if I knew who would be accompanying Dr. Kissinger. I said I didn’t know, and took the opportunity to inform Mrs. Shih that a specific number of guests was not necessary. The Vice Foreign Minister and Ambassador were welcome to come themselves, or to include in their party any members of the Mission they desired. Mrs. Shih said she would await a call from Winston Lord to finalize the date and details.

I departed the Mission at 9:00 p.m. and telephoned Jon Howe with the details of the meeting.

V. James Fazio

Deputy Director

Situation Room

The U.S. side has studied most carefully the October 26, 1972, message from the DRVN side. As the U.S. side has already pointed out, it understands the disappointment caused by the inability to meet the schedule. At the same time, the DRVN side certainly has sufficient information to know that the U.S. side exerted maximum efforts to adhere to the timetable, The U.S. side wishes to reaffirm its belief that with a cooperative attitude and good will on both sides, all remaining obstacles can be overcome. The major problem now is to focus on the future and to end recriminations about the past. Public pressure tactics can only retard progress.

The U.S. side has proposed another meeting in Paris to expedite the conclusion of the agreement, whose essential provisions Dr. Kissinger reaffirmed in his October 26, 1972 press conference. With respect to paragraph 4 of the October 26, 1972, DRVN message, the US side recommends that Special Advisor Le Due Tho and Dr. Kissinger meet in Paris beginning on Wednesday, November 1, 1972, or any other mutually convenient date. The U.S. side wishes to point out that Dr. Kissinger will not be available between November 4 and November 9. The session would last as long as required to complete the final text, The U.S. side hopes that the North Vietnamese side would attend with the attitude of making a positive contribution to achieving a satisfactory final text and that it will cooperate in the subsequent effort to achieve the concurrence of all parties. This goal is in the common interest and would permit rapid progress towards a ceasefire.

The U.S. side reaffirms that upon agreement on a text in Paris—and while subsequent consultations are occurring it will stop completely the bombing of North Vietnam. The U.S. also agrees not to request any additional changes after agreement is reached at the next session. Dr. Kissinger and Special Advisor Le Duc Tho will also agree on a schedule which can certainly be maintained since all preliminary consultations will have been completed and plans to bring about final concurrence will have been made well in advance. The U.S. side also reaffirms that as soon as the necessary concurrence is achieved, Dr. Kissinger will come to Hanoi to discuss the post-war situation and to initial the agreement. The target date is November 20.

The U.S. side agrees with the DRVN side that an early end to the war and restoration of peace in Vietnam will usher in a new era in the relations between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 850, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 24, 1972-Dec 31, 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting was held at the PRC Mission at the UN.
2. Shih Yen-hua of the Chinese Mission to the UN informed Deputy Director of the White House Situation Room Fazio that Vice Foreign Minister Ch’iao Kuan-hua and Chinese Ambassador to the UN Huang Hua had accepted President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger’s dinner invitation. Fazio provided the text of a U.S. message responding to an October 26 message from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.