[Attachment]
Paris, October
31, 1971, 6 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD:
On 31 October following the receipt of a telegram from Washington at
midnight (which I completed deciphering at 0330), I made arrangements to
call on the Chinese at 1800 (this time was suggested by them).
I went to their Embassy Residence at Boulevard du Chateau in Neuilly and
was received at the gate by Wei and at the door by Tsao who had told me
that the Ambassador would also be present and he joined us in the Red
Room within two minutes.
I thanked him for coming since he had so much to do just prior to his
departure for Peking. He said that he was happy to meet with me since we
were working in the interest of both our countries and the peace of the
world.
I then read the oral message in French and Wei translated it and read it
in English and Tsao copied it down.
The Ambassador then said that he would transmit it electrically at once
and also take a copy with him. He said he was very pleased that Mrs.
Nixon would be coming with
the President and asked whether his daughters would also be coming. I
said I had no information on this. He then said that he was also pleased
that the President would be going to Hangchow. In China they had a
saying that there were two places worth seeing, “Heaven and
Hangchow”.
Ambassador Huang said he had heard from the Chinese
side that Dr. Kissinger’s visit
had gone well. He himself was returning to Peking for about 15 days and
would be back in Paris around Nov 15. He was taking Wei with him. It was
a 23-hour trip and he would be in Peking on Wednesday, Nov 3.
He said that it was both absurd and dangerous for 800 million Chinese and
200 million Americans to pretend that the others did not exist. What was
being done, if it worked out, was of long-term historic importance. He
knew it had not been easy for Mr. Nixon to open the dialogue, nor had it been easy for
their side. President Nixon had
been courageous. The Editor (presumably Reston) of the New York Times
might not think he was courageous but they agreed with Prime Minister
Chou En-lai that the
President was courageous. I said that it was fortunate that both sides
had had courageous men at this time. He agreed. I said I had seen
President Nixon twice [Page 3] in times of great stress and
danger (Lima and Caracas) and knew how calm he remained under such
circumstances. It was reassuring for the whole world. He nodded.
Ambassador Huang also said it was fortunate that at
this time President Nixon had had
such a wise counselor as Dr. Kissinger. He had seen him only a few times but he had
made a most favorable impression on him (Amb) for frankness, vision and
directness.
He then recalled my original approach to the military Attache of the
PRC in April and said that the
interpreter had been very frightened at being approached by an American
General. I had, however, been discreet because I had spoken to him alone
in the courtyard of the Polish Embassy. The Ambassador added that the
Chinese Military Attache to Paris knew nothing about our meetings.
Ambassador Huang said that if our efforts bring
results all mankind will owe us a debt. There was a long tradition of
friendship between our countries and we must renew it. Ambassador
Huang said that he will report on this channel
to the Prime Minister and tell him about me. I had helped open a door
that had been closed for many years. He hoped I would visit China.
He then said that Tsao would be empowered to receive any letters or
documents but any discussions of substance should await his return. I
would be notified as soon as he returned.
All of the foregoing transpired over liters of jasmine tea, preserved
apples and two different types of pastries filled with small
unmentionable objects in an atmosphere of great cordiality.
Patted on the back and arm and called, “my friend”, I was escorted to the
door by Tsao and to the gate by Wei.
The Ambassador was wearing a blue uniform and the other two were in
conventional Western clothes. None of them wore any of the usual red Mao
badges.
