Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume IX, Vietnam, October 1972–January 1973

183. Message From the Chief of the U.S. Delegation to the Paris Peace Talks (Porter) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)¹

Paris, December 16, 1972, 1830Z.

1. We met with DRV at Neuilly from 1530 to 1815. Xuan Thuy stonewalled from beginning to end.

2. Despite fact we had agreed yesterday on agenda which consisted of a) understanding on Laos and Cambodia, and b) ICCS protocol, Xuan Thuy took position he was unprepared to discuss either.

3. We handed over our revised understanding on Laos and Cambodia and asked for their comments on it as well as on mutual understanding on cessation of hostilities in Cambodia which we had previously handed over. Xuan Thuy acknowledged receipt of both, but said he would have no comment until all understandings had been discussed.

4. We then turned to ICCS protocol and attempted to elicit discussion by comparing U.S. and DRV versions article by article. We never got beyond preamble because Xuan Thuy took position he would have no comments until all protocols had been discussed.

5. Xuan Thuy then launched into lengthy exegesis on DRV conception of control and supervision features of our agreement, which made it clear that two party commission was to be multitudinous and ubiquitous, while ICCS was to be miniscule and cloistered.

6. At this point, we broke for tea and resumed for sole purpose of fixing agenda. After break, we agreed to meet again Monday, December 18 at Gif at 1500. Agenda will be a) U.S. response to Xuan Thuy exegesis, b) discussion of conceptual differences, c) resumption of comparison ICCS texts, and d) decision on what to do next. We have proposed for (d) above that we should negotiate ICCS text article by article. Xuan Thuy has reserved on this point until Monday.

7. When meeting closed, Xuan Thuy rather lamely said DRV wished proceed as rapidly as possible. This comment only served to emphasize fact that today’s session was a total DRV stall, building a record of Kleberized intransigence.

8. In view cable exchange which I had this morning with Al Haig, I have not yet filed anodyne version of this report in State channels. However, I am prepared to do this unless you tell me that I should not. Please instruct.²

9. Warm regards.

End of message.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 865, For the President’s Files (Winston Lord)—China Trip/Vietnam, Camp David Memcons, December 1972 [1 of 3]. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Sent via Guay and Haig. Kissinger had directed Porter to remain in Paris and meet with Xuan Thuy to discuss the protocols and understandings after he and Le Duc Tho had departed.
2. See Document 186.