167. Memorandum for the Record, New York, October 31, 1972, 3:30-3:55 p.m.1 2
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 31, 1972.
I entered the Chinese Mission at 3:30 p.m., was greeted by Mrs. Shih, and escorted to the second floor. Tea was served and pleasantries exchanged.
Mrs. Shih presented the note (attached) and asked that it be forwarded to Dr. Kissinger. I read the note and had no questions. Mrs. Shih then said she had an oral message to pass to Dr. Kissinger.
“The Vice Foreign Minister and the Ambassador appreciate Dr. Kissinger kind invitation to dinner. However, they are sorry that they cannot accept it. Since the invitation came on short notice, the Vice Foreign Minister had made other plans. Perhaps we can discuss another date later.”
After making this presentation, Mrs. Shih immediately turned the conversation to general amenities.
I departed the Mission at 3:55 p.m. and telephoned Winston Lord with a gist of the note and the oral message.
Deputy Director
Situation Room
- 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.↩
- 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 would not be able to accept President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger’s dinner invitation.↩