CINCPAC REQUEST FOR PENETRATION AUTHORITY IN PARACELS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-537-7-11-6
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: January 4, 2013
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: March 22, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/04: LOC-HAK-537-7-11-6
I'M, 7"o W NSSu . NAVY reviews
TOP SECRET
BYEMAN
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
MEMORANDUM FOR: GENERAL HAIG
ACTION
March 2Z, 1972
JOHN- H. HOLDRIDGE
SUBJECT: CINCPAC Request for Penetration Authority
in Paracels
We understand that CINCPAC has requested penetration authority for a
USN destroyer to penetrate up to the three-mile limit in the PRC-claimed
Paracel Islands to surveil a fishing trawler which is suspected to be
North Vietnamese.
The penetration within the 12-mile. limit will probably generate another
"serious warning" from Peking, which may be harder on our violations
of its claimed territory now in light of our agreement to the Five. Principles
in.the Shanghai Communique. This will also be the first "serious warning"
since the President's visit. As you know, our penetrations of the Paracels
have been the source of the great majority of Peking's "serious warnings"
in the past several years.
At the last 40 Committee meeting Dr. Kissinger approved penetrations in
the Paracels by submarines within the 12-mile limit, and by reconnaissance
flights up to t e 30-mile limit if the JS approve such flights on a case-by-
case basis. Dick Kennedy and Jack Froebe's recollection, however, is
that Dr. Kissinger said White House approval should be obtained. Since
the Paracels are claimed by the PRC, SVN and the ROC, of which only the
PRC holds to a 12-mile limit, our rigid observance of a 12-mile limit
could be taken over a period of time as U. S. tacit--and undesirable--
recognition of the PRC position. The minutes do not show that Dr. Kissinger
addressed himself to the question of surface penetrations, although I
assume he would put these in the same category as reconnaissance flights.
Recommendation:
That we approve the penetration up to the three-mile limit in this case.
Approve Disapprove
Concurrence: Col. KennedyI
TOP SECRET/BYEMAN
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/04: LOC-HAK-537-7-11-6