Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XX, Southeast Asia, 1969–1972

158. Letter From the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Green) to the Ambassador to Thailand (Unger)¹

Washington, April 4, 1972.

Dear Len:

This letter is in reply to your telegram 4552² on the subject of Thai interest in the US–PRC discussions.

I think that about all we can tell the Thai, even privately, is something along the following lines—which you can attribute to me if you wish: “We expect that the Ambassadorial talks in Paris will move rather slowly. They will be dealing with bilateral matters, centering on US–PRC trade and on travel between the two countries. If there is anything of interest to the Thai we will keep them informed.”

For your information only, we are working out with PRC Ambassador Huang the ground rules for the discussions, and we hope to get agreement or at least acquiescence that we will keep some friendly countries informed in general terms of the progress of the talks, on a confidential basis. Until the PRC has reacted to this suggestion, I am reluctant to go farther than the above in promising to inform the Thai or any other friends.

With warm regards,

Sincerely,

Marshall Green³

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Marshall Green Files: Lot 74 D 471, Box 13826, Department Correspondence, April 1972 Folder. Secret; Eyes Only; Official–Informal. Drafted by Hummel.
2. Telegram 4552 from Bangkok, April 1, reported Asa Sarasin’s request that the RTG “be kept informed of developments in continuing U.S.–PRC talks, such as those being conducted in Paris. Asa recalled that Chairman Thanom had mentioned to Marshall Green during his recent visit Thailand’s concern about Chinese support for the insurgency in Thailand (see Document 153) implying that the Thai may at some point ask that that be raised in U.S.–PRC discussions.” (Ibid., Central Files 1970–73, POL CHICOM–US)
3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.