CABLE TO(SANITIZED) FROM ALEXANDER HAIG

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-461-1-2-6
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 2, 2011
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: January 14, 1972
• Content Type: CABLE

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SECRET
January 14, 1972
TO: U. S. MILITARY ATTACHE PARIS
FROM: WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
DELIVER AT OPENING OF BUSINESS
FROM: AL HAIG G'
At your earliest convenient opportunity, please convey the
following oral message:
General Haig has reported fully to President Nixon and Dr. Kissinger
on his recent visit to the People's Republic of China.
The President is very pleased with the developing arrangements
for his visit. He believes that these most recent discussions demonstrated,
as did the July and October trips of Dr. Kissinger, that both sides are
making every effort to ensure the success of the upcoming meetings.
On behalf of his colleagues, General Haig would like to thank
Prime Minister Chou En-lai and all the other Chinese officials who
treated the American party with such courtesy, warm hospitality, and
efficiency. The party will long remember the professional approach in
the discussions, the warmth of their hosts, and the beauties of the country.
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
SECRET
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During the recent advance trip the U. S. side agreed to provide
certain additional information to the Chinese side. Following is
information concerning:
-- The intrusion of a pilotless reconnaissance plane into PRC
air space which was raised in a note given to General Haig during his
visit.
-- A briefing on arrangements for the President's trip given by
the Press Secretary on January 12, 1972.
The full transcript of the press briefing, answers to technical questions
raised by the PRC concerning the forthcoming visit, and a listing of
persons the U. S. side proposes participate in various meetings will be
provided in the near future.
Airplane Intrusion: As concerns the memorandum which the
Chinese side gave General Haig during the U.S. advance party's meetings
in Peking January 3-10, 1972, concerning the intrusion of a pilotless
reconnaissance plane into Chinese air space and its subsequent crashing
in Kiangsi Province, a full investigation has been made as was agreed by
the U. S. side.
The incident cited by the Chinese side involved a pilotless recon-
naissance drone which was engaged in a reconnaissance mission in no
way directed at or involving the People's Republic of China. The control
system of the pilotless drone suffered a mechanical failure which resulted
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TOP SECRET
in loss of control. The pilotless drone then pursued an erratic course
and was assumed to have crashed southwest of Hainan Island near the
point at which it was last observed. This pilotless drone very probably
was the one to which the Chinese side referred in its memorandum.
The U. S. side wishes to again assure the Chinese side that every
possible precaution is being taken to prevent such accidental intrusions
in the future.
Press Br iefin : At 4:00 p.m. on January 12, the President's Press
Secretary announced the general press arrangements which were agreed
for the President's visit to the People's Republic of China. It was
specified that approximately 80 members of the United States press were
to accompany the President and that communications facilities would be
provided by the People's Republic of China.
The names of the members of the U. S. press were not announced.
This will be done at a future date after further consultation with the
Chinese side on the specific U. S. press representatives who will accompany
the President.
The general types of activities and the points of interest to be
visited by the President and Mrs. Nixon were enumerated, but details
of the President's schedule and plans for travel in Chinese aircraft were not
announced. These matters, as was agreed with the Chinese side during
the visit of the U. S. advance party, will be announced later.
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There was extensive questioning by members of third-country
press. As was agreed between the Chinese side and the United States
side during the visit to China of the U. S. advance party January 3-10,
1972, third-country press representatives in Washington were informed
that any participation by the press of other countries and their use of
facilities provided by the People's Republic of China during the U. S.
President's visit to China must be arranged directly by them with the
Government of the People's Republic of China. Third-country press
representatives were advised that they must make application to the
Government of the People's Republic of China. Such inquiries can be
expected soon. The third-country press was advised that there would be
no objection to their traveling with the President's party provided that
they were given specific permission to participate by the People's
Republic of China.
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