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

61. Note From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Haig) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, November 18, 1971¹ ²

Washington, November 18, 1971

November 18, 1971

Henry:

Walters saw Group 2—was cordially received. Their Number One is back. He stated that the Chinese strongly prefer 29 November rather than 23 November for announcement. They explained that the problem involved the fact that they will have a visitor from Hanoi in Peking on the 23d and, therefore, hope that we can make the announcement on the 29th.

There were no answers on additional details and no indication of when they would have such an answer. However, they expressed great gratitude that the U.S. side had agreed to the seven-day trip. They expressed pleasure that the First Lady would come and that the President will travel in their aircraft. The Chinese Ambassador was also anxious to know when he could see you and Walters indicated that this depended on the North Vietnamese.

AL HAIG

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President’s File-China Trip, China Exchanges, Oct 20, 1971-Dec 31, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive.
2. Haig relayed Military Attaché Walters’s information concerning the announcement of President Nixon’s China trip.