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Documents 1-49

-1. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 19, 1969 [ PDF version   ] 

Pakistani Ambassador Agha Hilaly and President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger discussed the role of the Pakistani Government as a backchannel between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Kissinger indicated that the Pakistanis could inform the Chinese that the United States appreciated this type of communication. National Security Council staff member Harold Saunders also attended the meeting.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1031, Files for the President-China Material, Exchanges Leading up to HAK Trip to China, December 1969-July 1971. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Saunders. All brackets in the source text. The conversation was held in Kissinger's office at the White House. There is no indication as of the time of the meeting.

Following Pakistani Ambassador Hilaly and President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger's December 19 meeting, Hilaly received a letter from Pakistani President Yayha Khan. Yayha wanted Hilaly to convey to President Nixon that the Pakistanis believed the Chinese were interested in resuming talks at Warsaw "without insisting on preconditions" and were concerned about "Japanese militarism."

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1031, Files for the President-China Material, Exchanges Leading up to HAK Trip to China, December 1969-July 1971. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Saunders. The conversation was held in Kissinger's office. There is no indication as to the time of the meeting. Tab A is a letter from President Nixon to Pakistani President Yayha reiterating Nixon's desire to stay in communication with Yayha. Tab B is a second letter from Yayha thanking Nixon for helping to meet Pakistan's food needs. Both are attached but not published.

The Airgram transmitted the context of the January 20, 1970, Sino-U.S. ambassadorial talks between Ambassador Walter Stoessel and Chinese Chargé de Affaires Lei Yang. Stoessel communicated President Nixon's desire to improve relations with China. The United States also would not stand in isolation from China or join in "any condominium with the Soviet Union directed against China." Lei Yang commented that the PRC had consistently stood for "peaceful settlement of disputes" and welcomed constructive "studies and explorations" on this issue.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, POL CHICOM-US. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted by Paul H. Kreisberg and Donald M. Anderson on January 20; cleared by Thomas W. Simons; and approved by Stoessel. The meeting was held at the PRC Embassy in Warsaw.

After calling for Washington to cease its support of Taiwan, Chinese Chargé de Affaires Lei Yang said China would be open to a visit from an envoy representing President Nixon in order to discuss "questions of fundamental principle." Ambassador Stoessel noted that the U.S. position was that "the question of the relationship between Taiwan and the mainland of China is one to be resolved by those directly involved."

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, POL CHICOM-US. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted by Kreisberg and Anderson on February 20; cleared by Simons and approved by Stoessel. The meeting was held at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw.

Haig reported on his meeting with Pakistani Ambassador Hilaly, who relayed PRC criticism of Secretary of State Rogers' public statement about "two Chinas." Hilaly indicated that the Pakistani Government had transmitted a message to the PRC that Nixon's "hands would be tied," if other American officials commented on U.S.-PRC relations.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1031, Files for the President-China Material, Exchanges Leading up to HAK Trip to China, December 1969-July 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A notation on the memorandum indicates that Nixon saw it. A handwritten notation reads: "Special File in HAK's Office."

President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Farland discussed the arrangements necessary for a secret preliminary trip to China that would pave the way for an official, public visit by the President.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1031, Files for the President-China Material, Exchanges Leading up to HAK Trip to China, December 1969-July 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. Drafted by David R. Halperin. The conversation was held in Palm Springs, California, at the home of Mr. Theodore Cummings. For more information about the Blood report, see Foreign Relations, 1969-1972, volume XI, South Asia Crisis, 1971.

Kissinger called his 17 hours of discussions with Chinese Premier Chou En-lai "the most intense, important, and far reaching of my White House experience." He reported that the Chinese agreed to a visit by President Nixon "before May 1972," and noted that the joint announcement of the visit was scheduled for July 15, 2230Z. Kissinger instructed Haig to inform President Nixon to keep the visit secret.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1031, Files for the President-China Material, Exchanges Leading up to HAK Trip to China, December 1969-July 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only.

Haig communicated President Nixon's commentes regarding Kissinger's earlier message. The President instructed Kissinger to prepare a highly sanitized version of discussions. Nixon noted that "certain allied governments" would be informed of the visit prior to his announcement of it on national television.

Source: Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 432, Backchannel Files, Backchannel Messages, Very Sensitive Trip Cables-Not Held by Sit Room. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only.

Kissinger summarized his 2-day talks with Chinese Premier Chou En-lai.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1032, Files for the President-China Material, Polo I Record, July 1971 HAK Visit to PRC. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Tabs A and B were attached but not published.

Haig informed Walters that President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger would be visiting Paris on July 25 and 26 and would like to meet with the Chinese Ambassador at his residence on July 25.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Attached but not published are the two messages, which were to be handed to the Chinese ambassador for transmission to Chou En-lai.

Walters described his late afternoon meeting with Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen on July 21.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting was held at Chen's residence in Neuilly. Kirschman is in reference to Kissinger.

Description of Kissinger's July 26 meeting with Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen focusing on Kissinger's possible October visit.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent under a July 30 covering memorandum from Winston Lord to Kissinger for inclusion in Kissinger's files. Kissinger's memorandum to Nixon was not sent.

Haig instructed Walters about the delivery of a written message to the PRC Ambassador and an oral message to the North Vietnamese representative. Haig indicated that a third message contained information about the President's trip to China.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive. Attached at Tab A and B are two of the notes. Attached but not published at Tab C is the memorandum containing logistical details about the trip.

Military Attaché Walters and Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen discussed details of President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger's upcoming August 16 trip to Paris.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting was held at the Chinese Embassy.

Haig instructed Walters to orally deliver two messages to Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen. The first message communicated President Nixon's shared belief with Chinese Premier Chou En-lai and President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger that the reopening of the Warsaw channel "would be unwise at this time." The second message focused on Kissinger's August 16 Paris visit and his desire to meet with the Ambassador in order to discuss recent events in East Pakistan.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Published from a copy that indicates Haig signed the original.

Walters indicated that he had delivered the messages he had received from Haig to Chinese officials on August 8. Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen agreed to meeting with President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger on August 16.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. See Document 15 for the text of the two oral messages.

President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger informed Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen that the United States and the Soviet Union would soon conclude an agreement that would lessen the dangers of accidental nuclear war between the superpowers, predicted that the Soviets would propose that President Nixon visit the Soviet Union, and assured Huang that Nixon would visit China before visiting the Soviet Union.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Drafted by Lord on August 19. All brackets in the source text. The meeting was held at the Chinese Embassy.

Kissinger welcomed Huang Hua to his new post in Ottawa and provided his White House telephone number as well as the home telephone number of NSC staff member Lord.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. No classification marking. A handwritten note reads: "8/16/71-handed by HAK to Amb. Huang Chen in Paris for transmittal to Huang Hua." Published from a copy that indicates Kissinger initialed the original.

After confirming his upcoming 4-day interim visit to China in October, President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger predicted that Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko would formally invite President Nixon to visit the Soviet Union during his visit to the United States to address the United Nations on September 19.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File--China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Drafted by Lord, who sent it to Kissinger under a covering memorandum. All ellipses in the source text. The meeting was held at the Chinese Embassy. Attached but not published are Tabs B-C. Tab A is published in its entirety as Document 20.

The message discussed whether or not the two countries should announce President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger's October 20 interim visit before or upon his arrival.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only.

Haig instructed Walters how to deliver three messages to Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Published from a copy that indicates Haig signed the original. At Tab A is an oral note for Huang. At Tab B is a statement Walters was to deliver orally after he read Huang the first message. Attached but not published at Tab C is an announcement concerning proposed dates for Kissinger's and Nixon's upcoming visits to China.

Walters recounted his delivery of the three messages he had received from Haig on August 31. Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen reiterated China's fear of the revival of Japanese militarism but reaffirmed China's commitment to peaceful coexistence.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. The meeting was held at Chen's residence in Neuilly.

Military Attaché Walters and Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen discussed the negotiations between the Soviet Union and the United States aimed at preventing incidents at sea.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. A handwritten notation reads: "Secret/Sensitive." The meeting was held at the Chinese Embassy.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. A notation on the message reads: "9/13/71."

Military Attaché Walters recounted his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen concerning the American submission of a "two Chinas" resolution to the United Nations. Chinese officials indicated that the resolution prompted them to delay announcement of President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger's visit until October 5.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. No classification marking. The meeting was held at the Chinese Embassy.

Walters raised the possibility that the Chinese were truly world revolutionaries who would turn on President Nixon after his visit.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Secret; Eyes Only. Ellipsis in the source text. Walters was in Washington, September 24-September 28.

Kissinger instructed Walters to inform the Chinese on September 29 concerning the technical aspects of President Nixon's trip. He also noted that on October 2, Walters should inform the Chinese of the content of President Nixon's September 29 conversation with Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko. Kissinger also suggested that Walters inform the Chinese that Walters had been in Washington for consultation, September 24-28.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A handwritten note reads "HK Handed to Walters 9/28/71." Not published is the oral message to the Chinese.

Military Attaché Walters and Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen discussed the China Lobby in the United States, supersonic transport, and the American fight against illegal drugs.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Drafted by Walters on September 30. The meeting was held at the Chinese Embassy.

Military Attaché Walters orally delivered a message to Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen regarding President Nixon and his Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger's meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko and Gromyko's probable invitation for Nixon to visit the Soviet Union. The two also discussed the probability of a trip by Nixon to China and Nixon's personal and political courageousness.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Drafted by Walters on October 4. The lunchtime meeting was held at Chen's residence in Neuilly. The precise time of the conversation is not indicated on the memorandum.

Walters was instructed to announce that President Nixon would visit the Soviet Union in May 1972, inform the Chinese that they are the first to be notified, and discuss logistics about Nixon's visit to China.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. Top Secret; Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the instructions. Although a handwritten notation on the document reads "10/9/71," Walter's memorandum for the record indicates that he received these instructions while in Washington on October 8. See Document 31. Attached at Tab A is the joint announcement. Tabs B, C, and D are attached but not published.

Military Attaché Walters gave Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Cheng the text of President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger's press conference, during which Kissinger planned to announce President Nixon's visit to the Soviet Union.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. No classification marking. Drafted by Walters on October 10. The meeting was held at Chen's residence in Neuilly. Attached as Appendix A is the Chinese oral note. Appendix B is attached but not published.

Walters recounted his October 13 meeting with Chinese Ambassador to France Huang Chen. The two officials discussed the relatively mild press reaction to the announcement of President Nixon's trip to the Soviet Union.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. No classification marking.

Military Attaché Walters gave interpreter Tsao the names of President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger's entourage for his upcoming visit to China. Tsao, in turn, discussed his admiration for the United States, especially its print media.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. No classification marking.

After Military Attaché Walters relayed information about President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger's communications operations for his upcoming trip to China, interpreters Tsao and Wei asked about the role of the military and the racial question in U.S. politics.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. No classification marking. Ellipses in the source text. Drafted by Walters on October 15.

After Military Attaché Walters relayed more specifics about President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger's communications operations, interpreters Tsao and Wei asked Walters about the U.S. income tax and credit card systems.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 849, President's File-China Trip, China Exchanges, July 1971-Oct 20, 1971. No classification marking. Drafted by Walters on October 16.

President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai introduced each other's entourages and spoke informally for 10 minutes before convening formally. Kissinger relayed President Nixon's personal commitment to improving relations between China and the U.S. He and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai agreed that the two nations had divergent ideologies but convergent interests, especially in ending the war in Indochina, easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and preventing conflict between India and Pakistan. Technical arrangements for Nixon's trip to China were also discussed.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, HAK visit to PRC, October 1971, Memcons-originals. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on either memorandum. A handwritten notation reads "informal memcon." There are also numerous handwritten notes written throughout the memoranda. Ellipses in the source texts. The meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People.

Chou hailed the restoration of contact between China and the United States, praised Chairman of the Communist Party of China Mao Tse-tung, President Nixon, and his Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger, and referenced the ongoing Sino-American talks.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, China-HAK October 1971 visit. No classification marking. Published from a copy that indicates it was the English translation of the Chinese remarks.

Haig informed Nixon that President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger had raised the issue of Nixon's individual meetings with Chinese Premier Chou En-lai and Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party Mao Tse-tung, noting that Chou refused to agree to a private meeting between Nixon and Mao.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, China-HAK October 1971 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent for information. A notation on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it. A handwritten note from Nixon reads: "Al-OK with Henry-OK with Chou & Mao together-but RN to be alone-Henry not to be present-otherwise we differ from RN's style in other trips & raise the Rogers problem."

Department of State official Alfred Jenkins and NSC staff member John Holdridge broached the establishment of reciprocal or unilateral liaison offices and other lower level relationships such as scientific, cultural, environmental, and sports between the two nations in a conversation with the Prime Minister's Secretary Hsiung Hsiang-hui.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, HAK visit to PRC, October 1971, Memcons-originals. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. All brackets are in the source text. The meeting was held at Hupei Hall, the Great Hall of the People.

Topics discussed included the technical aspects of President Nixon's visit, the normalization of relations, pro-Taiwan Independence demonstrations in the United States, and Japan.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, HAK visit to PRC, October 1971, Memcons-originals. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by Lord. All brackets and ellipses are in the source text. The meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People.

President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger noted that California Governor Ronald Reagan's recent visit to Taiwan did not reflect official U. S. foreign policy. Chinese Premier Chou En-lai then called for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Indochina and criticized Washington's "refusal" to reply to Hanoi's seven point proposal. Kissinger responded that the North Vietnamese had failed to respond both to the August 1971 U.S. eight point proposal including a withdrawal date, which he had presented to North Vietnamese negotiator Xuan Thuy in Paris in September , and to a subsequent October 11, revision of the proposal. The two also discussed the effect a ceasefire in Vietnam would have on Cambodia.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, HAK visit to PRC, October 1971, Memcons-originals. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by Lord. The meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People.

Haig informed Kissinger of President's Nixon desire to meet with Chairman of the Communist Party of China Mao Tse-tung and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai without anyone else present from the U.S. delegation.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, China-HAK October 1971 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No time of transmission or receipt appears on the message.

Topics discussed among Prime Minister's Secretary Hsiung Hsiang-hu and U.S. officials Holdridge and Jenkins included the establishment of liason offices, President Nixon's proposed visit, possible scientific, technical, and cultural exchanges, and the issue of American organizations inviting Taiwanese athletes to tour the United States.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, HAK visit to PRC, October 1971, Memcons-originals. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. An unknown hand crossed out a portion of the date on the memorandum, changing the year from 1972 to 1971. The meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People.

Chinese Premier Chou En-lai warned that U.S. reconnaissance flights over North Vietnam and Laos that had recently passed into Chinese airspace would be fired upon in the future. President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger said that such flights had not been authorized. Chou then raised North Korea's concerns about Japanese-South Korean rapprochement. Kissinger repeated the administration's opposition to Japanese rearmament and promised that Japanese troops would not replace the U.S. troops withdrawn from South Korea. The two also discussed the growing refugee problem in India as a result of the crisis in East Pakistan, whether or not the Chinese-U.S. talks had influenced Moscow, and the ongoing European Security Conference.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, HAK visit to PRC, October 1971, Memcons-originals. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People. All brackets and ellipses are in the source text. No drafting information appears on the memorandum; presumably drafted by Lord. Holdridge, Jenkins, and Hsuing joined the meeting after concluding their talks, published as Document 43. Attached at Tab A but not published is the text of North Korea's eight points. Also attached at Tab A is the first U.S. draft of the joint communiqué. See Document 56 for the text of the first draft.

Haig indicated that President Nixon wanted Kissinger to delay his return to Washington.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, China-HAK October 1971 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Also designated as immediate. No time of transmission or receipt appears on the message. For Haig's understanding of Rogers' position on Kissinger's return, see Document 49. For additional information concerning the Chinese representation issue at the United Nations, see Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, volume XVII, China, 1969-1972, Document 167 and Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, volume V, United Nations.

Haig relayed Assistant to the President Haldeman's message that President Nixon wanted his visit to China to last 5 rather than 7 days.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, China-HAK October 1971 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A typed notation on the message indicates that it was sent to Kissinger in Beijing via wire. No time of transmission or receipt appears on the message.

Kissinger agreed to delay his return to Washington until after the United Nations vote, even though he argued that his visit had not affected the "Chirep" vote. He also recommended that American officials should minimize the use of language supportive of Taiwan, as it could jeopardize relations with the People's Republic of China.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, China-HAK October 1971 Visit. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The message indicates that it was to be delivered at the opening of business. Received at the White House at 5:21 a.m. A notation on the memorandum reads: "HAIG ONLY." Haig underlined the sentence: "Chou has however insisted at every session that PRC will never hold still for the elaboration of new legal status for Taiwan."

President's Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Chinese Premier Chou En-lai broached the issue of the reconnaissance flights, and also discussed the joint communiqué and the security, flight, and communication arrangements for President Nixon's visit.

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, HAK visit to PRC, October 1971, Memcons-originals. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Brackets in the source text. The meeting was held in Kissinger's Sitting Room at the Government Guest House.

Haig informed Kissinger that he had raised Kissinger's points, concerning his return to the United States, with President Nixon, Secretary of State Rogers, and Ambassador to the United Nations George H.W. Bush. Rogers concluded, and Nixon agreed, that a stopover in Alaska would be desirable. Haig also commented that Rogers was "attempting to again assert himself as a dominant force."

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1035, Files for the President-China Material, China-HAK October 1971 Visit. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. A typed notation on the message indicates that it was sent to Kissinger in Beijing via wire.