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

301. Message From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Sullivan) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)¹

Paris, January 18, 1973, 2240Z.

1. At opening January 18 session, Thach passed me following redraft of our proposed note to be dated January 30. Once again modesty is transcendent:

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Draft US message to the DRV on January 30, 1973.

The following is a message on behalf of the President of the United States of America to the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam.

The President wishes to inform the Prime Minister of the principles which will govern the U.S. contribution to healing the wounds of war and to postwar reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam. As indicated in Article 21 of the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet Nam signed in Paris on January 27, 1973 the United States undertakes this contribution in accordance with its traditional policies. These principles are as follows:

1) The Government of the United States of America will contribute to healing the wounds of war and to postwar reconstruction in North Viet Nam without any condition.

2) This United States contribution will be based upon such factors as:

A. The needs of North Viet Nam arising from the dislocations of war;

B. The requirements for postwar reconstruction in the agricultural and industrial sectors of North Viet Nam’s economy.

Preliminary United States studies indicate that the appropriate programs within the framework of the preceding paragraph will fall in the range of $4.5 billion of grant aid over five years, the use of which will be left to the discretion of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, as well as other aids in amounts and on terms to be agreed upon between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam.

3) The United States will agree with the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam to establish a United States-Democratic Republic of Viet Nam Joint Economic Commission within 30 days from the date of this message.

4) The function of this Commission will be to develop programs for the United States contribution as envisaged in points 1 and 2 of this message.

5) The Joint Economic Commission will have an equal number of representatives from each side. It will agree upon a mechanism to administer the program which will constitute the United States contribution to healing the wounds of war and to postwar reconstruction of North Viet Nam. The Commission will attempt to complete this agreement within 60 days after its establishment.

6) The two members of the Commission will function on the principle of respect for each other’s sovereignty, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit. The office of the Commission will be located at a place to be agreed upon by the United States and the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam.

7) The United States considers that the implementation of the foregoing principles will promote economic, trade and other relations between the United States of America and the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and will contribute to ensuring a stable and lasting peace in Indochina. These principles accord with the spirit of Chapter VIII of the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet Nam which was signed in Paris on January 27, 1973.

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2. I agreed forward this to you, but doubted I would have your reaction prior to your arrival January 23.

3. Warm regards.

End message.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 860, For the President’s Files (Winston Lord)—China Trip/Vietnam, Sensitive Camp David, Vol. XXIV. Secret; Operational Immediate; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Sent via Guay and Scowcroft.