Office of the Historian

337. Diplomatic Note From the United States Government to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam1

Washington, undated.

The note of June 52 has been studied with great care. The U.S. Government agrees that the negotiations to be fruitful should be conducted free of pressure by either side. The appointment of a new Ambassador to the Paris peace conference is a sign of its good will and serious attitude. In the temporarily suspended talks between Le Duc Tho and Xuan Thuy on one side, and Kissinger on the other, it was agreed that these meetings would establish a framework of basic principles for implementation in the formal sessions. For this reason, the U.S. Government proposes a new meeting between Le Duc Tho and Xuan Thuy on one side and Mr. Kissinger on the other to develop new approaches to peace in Vietnam. Mr. Kissinger can meet in Paris on any weekend from July 25 onwards.

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 853, For the President’s File—Vietnam Negotiations, Sensitive, Camp David, Vol. V. No classification marking. A note on the top of the page reads: “Typed Jul 1, 1970 & cy [copy] given Gen. Walters.” Walters delivered the message on July 5.↩
  2. Printed as an attachment to Document 320.↩