PARIS NEGOTIATING TACTICS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 18, 2013
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: February 11, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/18: LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
A
DOS, NSS reviews
completed.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
01469
February 11, 197
MR,t INGER
JOH H. HOLDRIDGEV
Paris Negotiating Tactics
On February 7, State sent Ambassador Porter a telegram (Tab B)
instructing him to focus on the separability issue in order to get the
other side to state specifically whether in their latest formulation
point one (military) could be discussed and implemented separately
from point two (political). The telegram suggested that Porter concentrate
on military issues and let the GVN spokesman take the lead in addressing
political issues.
(
The telegram was intended to initiate a systematic probing of the other
side's new "two point" proposal -- as opposed to attacking it at this
time. This approach is consistent with that outlined in our February 5
memo to you.
At the February 10 meeting, Ambassador Porter disregarded these in-
structions. He did not press the other side on the separability issue and,
in fact, raised such political issues as elections and self determination.
Apparently, Porter was convinced that a formulation in the PRG opening
statement inseparably linked the two points; therefore, there was no point
in pressing this issue. The PRG formulation in question does not seem
to us to be that categorical on the separability issue, and we believe a
probing of their positions in the Paris forum is still in order. We do not
believe we should leave ourselves exposed to charges that we have failed
to explore even the slightest ambiguity in the other side's position at Kleber.
Ambassador Porter has been most skillful in exposing and denouncing the
flaws in the other side's arguments and proposals. We feel, however,
that we should presently engage in a dispassionate probing exercise. This
probing may well determine that the latest Communist elaboration is the
most unreasonable one to date -- then we can return to the attack.
SE T /SENSITIVE
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/18: LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/18: LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5
2
Artthas *dor Porter nLit tetev. that a Ius.lippravai of Ms
astellent performance to d give* him a mandate to iioto re the itind
of 6tats guidance sant to him 1at t onday %filth (..3 ar costurrencs.
would,. therefore. be useful for you to tell him that y,) personally
costar in btata's &stoat instructions, A back-dim/mei to this effect has
been propared for your review and approval.
That you send the tele% ritsia at Tan to Ambassador
prove Dist, p ve
ENSIT E,
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/18: LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5
25X1
? No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/18: LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5
ITTVIL
TO!
FRO
zu
it ?
VOL'S ONLY AMB
itiosR
T.
t the post aleatory session to b.*ve the
25X1
other side clar*fy Utak ambiguous parts of their new proposal -- espoctally
tho btu* of whother oreat point 01114 CIA IWO sosotiated separated from
point two.
2. le this connection. State's 021826 of iobruary I had our lull concurrence
though we share your view that plaSsAs outs *ad two sr* no doubt
lialtedwo think it important thot this be establishod for the
Lc the plosary forum. la so notes at as early staie. we will
avrW any risk al chars* that we have tallied to explore tentual amMgdti,s
in tho other sido's po Mon.
3. hit., of courso. we fully support your approach ot keepies our
ows proposal* in the forofrost sad countories the other sido's diotortont
appraisals of both tha diplomatic ant military situ.ation
4. Werra roserds.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/18: LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5
7
t,
.47
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/18: LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5
11031r0fr
AO'
Department of State
O
SEGRET:
0 020153Z FEB 72
Fm SEtSTATE WASHDC
To RUFNCRYOSDEL FRANCE IMMEDIATE 7492
INFO RUMJIR/AMEMBASSY SAIGON IMMEDIATE
BT
SECRETSTATE 021826
U. ..=:(r2Splia
CONTROL: 0 0 ?1 7 9 5(1
130s RECD: 7FEA '72 8522m
NODIS
PARIS MEETINGS
SUBJ.: PLANS FOR 144TH PLENARY SESSION, FEBRUARY 10, 1972
REF: USDEL FRANCE 2233
1. CONCUR IN PLANS CONVEYED REFTEL FOR MAINTAINING
FOCUS ON EIGHT POINTS AS WELL AS OTHER PROPOSALS PUT FORTH
BY OUR SIDE.
2. IN ADDITION, WE WISH TO PURSUE OUR EFFORTs TO PIN THE
OTHER SIDE DOWN TO EXTENT POSSIBLE ON CERTAIN ASPECTS
OF THEIR FEBRUARY 3 ELABORATION WATCH REMAIN AMBIGUOUS.
BELIEVE THIS MIGHT BE BEST DONE BY CONTINUING TACTIC
YOU EMPLOYED LAST WEEK OF CALLING FOR SPECIFIC ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS POSED DURING REBUTTAL PERIOD. IN DOING SO,
SUGGEST .YOU CONCENTRATE ON MILITARY ISSUES AS OPPOSED
TO POLITICAL, WHICH WE HOPE GvN WOULD TAKE LEAD IN
ADDRESSING. THIS APPROACH WOULD SERVE TO UNDERSCORE
VIEW THAT SVN POLITICAL SOLUTION IS PRIMARILY MATTER FOR
VIETNAMESE TO WORK OUT AND WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH OUR
GENERAL EFFORT TO PLACE GvN IN MORE PROMINENT NEGOTIATING ROLE.
3, AMONG POINTS IN OTHER SIDE'S POSITION, WE WISH TO FOCUS
FIRST ON ISSUE OF SEPARABILITY. DESPITE THEIR RECENT sTATEmENTs
TO MEDIA INDICATING THEY CONTINUE TO VIEW MILITARY AND POLITICAL
ISSUES AS INSEPARABLE, THIS HAS NOT BEEN,EXPLICITLY CONFIRMED
IN NEGOTIATING FORUM SINCE ELABORATION PRESENTED. WE. WOULD
LIKE OTHER SIDE To STATE SPECIFICALLY WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN
ANY CHANGE IN THEIR POSITION ON THIS ISSUE, I.E. WHETHER IN
LATEST FORMULATION POINT ONE COULD BE DISCUSSED AND IMPLEMENTED
_SEPkRATELY FROM POINT TWO.
SECRE1
NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
No Objection to Declassification in Part.2013/11/18 : LOC-HAK-20-4:18-5
. .
No Objection. to Declassification in Part 2013/11/18: LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5
Wan' 0,t?
.rb.
c7.4 of.
e 10.:C; ?
leijeter?-r:ES 4,5>;0
? Department of State
SECRET
;Z-44
? I
ye+my.
72- STATE 021826, FEB 07 1972
4. RE POLITICAL ISSUES, OTHER SIDE'S PUBLIC STATEMENTS,.
INCLUDING THEIR. BROAD DEFINITION OF "MACHINE OF OPPRESSION
AND CONSTRAINT" THAT IT INSISTS BE DISBANDED, WOULD SEEM TO
PROVIDE AMPLE BASIS FOR GVN COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
5. FOR SAIGON: QUESTION OF TACTICS VIS-A-VIS VERSAILLES
CONFERENCE WILL BE SUBJECT SEPTEL. ROGERS
81
1826 ,
DRAFTED BY: EA: WLCutler
APPROVED BY: EA -William H. Sullivan
WHITE HOUSE - General Haig
DOD/ISA -Mr. Constant
S/S -o - CTMagee
SECRET
NOT TO BE REPRODOcED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
? ?
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/18: LOC-HAK-20-4-18-5