CABLE TO ELLSWORTH BUNKER FROM HENRY A. KISSINGER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-490-5-3-9
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 3, 2012
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: April 7, 1972
• Content Type: CABLE

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No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/10/03: LOC-HAK-490-5-3-9
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TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
BACK CHANNEL
(BUNKER CHANNEL)
TO: AMBASSADOR BUNKER
FROM: HENRY A. KISSINGER
REF: Saigon 0049 and Previous
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1. Since we last informed you about private exchanges with
the North Vietnamese there has been some jockeying back and forth
on a possible secret meeting on April 24, 1972 but nothing has been
fixed. Neverthelebs, we want to bring you and Thieu up to date in
view of enemyis current offensive and possibility they might surface
these messages for propaganda reasons. Following is the essence
of these exchanges. You should immediately inform Thieu of them,
emphasizing as always their confidentiality.
2. You will recall the North Vietnamese arbitrarily postponed
On
the March 20 meeting with Michael and Yul to April 15./ March 13
we rejected their pretexts for postponement and said that April 24
was only date I could go secretly to Paris because of Presidential
travels and other demands. We warned that their postponement tactics
jeopardized the channel and that the purpose of these meetings required
that neither side exert pressure through military escalation.
3. On March 27 a North Vietnamese message lectured us on
a variety of sins including divulging private meetings, aerial attacks,
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and suspension of the Paris Conference public talks. They then'
said that if we resumed the public talks they would meet on April 24
at 11:00.
4. On April 1 we sent a message, delivered on April 2, which
completely rejected North Vietnamese allegations, including the
reason for the suspension of the Paris Conference. We said that
nevertheless Ambassador Porter would propose a plenary session on
April 13 and on this basis we agreed to a secret meeting on April 24 at
10:00 a.m. We pointed out that the North Vietnamese offensive was incon-
sistent with the purpose of these meetings; we had been showing great
restraint in order to give negotiations a chance; we could not remain
indifferent if the step-up of military operations continued; and that such
attacks would jeopardize the holding of the meeting. We asked for a prompt
escalation
response to our message. Comment: By this time the North Vietnamese/
was, of course, clear and our main purpose was to write an impeccable record
of reasonableness.
5. On April 4 we sent another message but the other side postponed
receiving it until April 6, undoubtedly to give themselves time to write
another one of their own. We noted that despite our previous message they
had gravely escalated military activity and flagrantly violated the Geneva
Accords and 1968 understandings and therefore Porter would not repeat
not propose an April 13 plenary session. We added that a decision about
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an April 20 plenary session would quote depend on the circumstances
existing at that time unquote. We deliberately avoided mentioning
the secret meeting. Their April 6 message, replying to our. April 2
message, said that they would attend the April 13 public session and
subsequent sessions to be held each Thursday and would attend the
April 24 secret meeting. They warned that the private meeting could
be effected if we continued our air attacks and interruption of the
work of the Paris -Conference.
6. We do not repeat not consider the April 24 me_ting as fixed
since we have now refused to meet their precondition of resuming the
Paris Conference. We consider the next move to be up to the other
side. In any event we plan no further proposals at this time.
7. We,are sending in a double sealed envelope with General
Vogt, who arrives Saigon April , the full texts of all exchanges
with the North Vietnamese since the Presidents January 25 speech.
8. We will keep you fully informed.
9. Warm regards.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2012/10/03: LOC-HAK-490-5-3-9