MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 1, 2010
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: December 12, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE
EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
DATE & TIME: Sunday, December 12, 1971; 3:50 pm - 4:20 pm
PLACE:
PARTICIPANTS:
New York City, East Side
Ambassador Huang Hua, PRC Permanent Represen-
tative to the United Nations and Ambassador to
Canada
Tang Wen-sheng, Interpreter
Shih Yen-hua, Interpreter
Brig. Gen. Alexander M,. Haig, Jr., Deputy Assistant
to the President for National. Security Affairs
Winstop Lord, Senior NSC Stay Member
General Haig I understand there was some excitement around your hotel.
Amb. Huang: Yes, twice. There were demonstrations for and opposing
Bangla Desh, for and opposing Indian aggression.
General Haig: At least it's kept evenly divided.
Amb. Huang: I would like you to convey the following message. (Amb.
Huang reads from a printed text and the interpreter translates):
"The Chinese side has carefully studied the opinions put
forward by Dr. Henry Kissinger last time. We agree to the
principle he has spoken of, that is, in order to implement
the UN resolution of the General Assembly within the frame-
work of a united Pakistan, an immediate ceasefire must first
be effected both in East and West Pakistan which will be
followed by troop withdrawal by both sides. For this purpose
we also agree to the convening of an emergency meeting of the
Security. Council. However, in so doing, one must not show
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVE
Y EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
the slightest sign of weakness toward the Soviet Union and
India. The ceasefire and withdrawal will be realized in
steps and no recognition must be given to Bangla Desh.
For our part we are stepping up support and assistance to
Pakistan. And we must adhere to the principle that no
recognition be given to Bangla Desh.
That is roughly our reply to the talk we had last time.
General Haig: That,is very good.
I thought it would be helpful if I tell you what we have done since
we last met. On Friday, we sent a very strong warning to the Soviet
Union, and we told them that if we had no indication from them that
they .would act constructively in this situation we would proceed within
the framework of the Security Council along the lines that we proposed,
that is with a ceasefire and withdrawal. After this warning we had not
heard from them, so we proceeded with a very strong public statement.
After setting in train moving to the Security Council, we received an
c MU0uuw. Li LliaL message they indicated that they
liiiiil
urgent iiv0a.ag
were most anxious to find a solution and a way out of the situation. We
have not received the details of their proposal.
So we intend, as you know, to proceed in the United Nations with the
General Assembly resolution in the Security Council. We will ask for
a ceasefire and withdrawal.
Here are the other steps we have taken. The movement of the forces of
the Seventh Fleet is underway and will go through the Straits of Malacca
tomorrow and proceed to the Indian Ocean by Wednesday.
We are informed that the King of Jordan has sent six fighter aircraft to
Pakistan and intends to send others up to a total of fourteen very soon.
The Government of Iran is sending aircraft to Jordan to replace those
aircraft Jordan sends to Pakistan. We are informed that Saudi Arabia
and the Iranians are sending small arms and ammunition. And there
is some indication that the Government of Turkey is sending up to twenty-
two aircraft. We, of course, are doing all we can to facilitate this.
I think the most important indication that we have is that the Soviet Union
now is very concerned. We intend to watch that situation very carefully.
We have no intention of weakening the US position in any way on this
situation.
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
Where we go from the UN Security Council Resolution of ceasefire and
withdrawal, and ultimately ceasefire, will be largely the result of the
wishes of.Pakistan, but without pressure from the United States of any
kind.
Now the Soviet response to us was again very conciliatory. They informed
us that they sent Deputy Foreign Minister Kuznetsov to New Delhi and
that he met with Madame Gandhi, and they are very anxious to arrive at
some way out of this situation. We intend to stay very, very firm with
the Soviet Union on this issue.
Arno. Huang: That's all up to now?
General Haig: That's all up to now, yes.
I think it is very important that the People's Republic understand
that we have taken a full range of steps which have been very cognizant of
the interests we have in preserving the integrity of Pakistan, and that
your side recognize that these measures have been strenuous, given the
rewllti4 Of the political stuation here domestically. And ,it is in our
view quite important that your government recognize we have done every
step with full coordination with you. We have told you each step. We
don't think it is helpful to characterize the measures we have taken as
weak or vacillating, because that is not an accurate characterization of
the steps we have taken and are prepared to take.
Amb. Huang: Do you have other plans with regard to the Security Council?
General Haig At this moment none other than to insist on a vote in the
Security Council along the general outlines of the General Assembly
resolution and to hold with that. If this does not succeed, then we will
move with ceasefire alone and leave it at that.
I would welcome anything the Ambassador has to offer in terms
of what the People's Republic will see as coming at that point.
Amb. Huang: We have the same views on this question, that is to
preserve the unification of Pakistan and in the Security Council we are
in favor of the draft resolution along the lines of the resolution adopted
at the General Assembly meeting, that is ceasefire and troop withdrawal.
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
If the Soviet Union vetoes that resolution, then we must adhere to the
principles that ceasefire and troop withdrawal constitute an integrated
whole, but they can be effected by steps, that is the ceasefire must
.first be effected immediately in East Pakistan and West Pakistan.
General Haig: Both sides.
Amb. Huang: Then that would be followed by troop withdrawal.
General Haig: I would like to give the Ambassador a copy of the White
House text which was issued today.
Amb. Huang: We heard the news, but we didn't have the full text.
(General Haig hands the text over at Tab A.)
Amb. Huang: We have nothing more to say.
General Haig: Very good.
Amb. Huang: I will take leave then.
General Haig: I hope the Ambassador will feel free at any time to contact
us. It is important that we continue to exchange views as we proceed.
(There was then some continued small talk and light conversation
as the Ambassador waited for his car to arrive. General Haig mentioned
that Ambassador Bush would like to know if the Chinese wish to conduct
bilateral discussions on the question of a successor to Secretary General
U Thant. Ambassador Huang replied that they were ready for both bilateral
and multilateral consultations. He added that this was their attitude with
respect to the other three permanent members of the Security Council also.
Other topics of conversation included the fact that Ambassador Huang
and his colleagues had been very busy the last few weeks, the heavy social
schedule imposed on Ambassador Huang which he termed a "punishment,
the heavy traffic in New York City, and a brief rundown by General Haig
on the latest reports on the military situation in the South Asian subcontinent. )
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
v
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT
December 12, 1971
On December 7th, the General Assembly by a vote of 104 to 11
with ten abstentions called on India and Pakistan to institute an
immediate cease fire and to withdraw troops from each other's
territory. Pakistan has accepted the resolution. India has refused.
In view of India's defiance of world opinion expressed by such an
.overwhelming majority, the United States is now returning the issue
to the Security Council.
With East Pakistan virtually occupied by Indian troops a continua-
tion of the war would take on increasingly the character of armed
attack on the very existence of a member state of the United Nations.
All permanent members of the Security Council have an obligation
to end this threat to world peace on the most urgent basis. The
United States will cooperate fully in this effort.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
FLASH
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
December 12, 1971
Henry A. Kissinger aboard Sprit of '76
[Deliver immediately in sealed envelope to Dr. Kissinger and
Richard T. Kennedy
QUOTF -------------.-.----UNQUOTE
Following just received from Haig. Guests, read following
note from printed text.
They, in essence, accepted our going into Security Council
with two-step proposals. They said they would agree provided it
was understood that the ceasefire was clearly linked to ceasefire
still have it as major concession,
In Haig's view, this is minimum articulation they could give us and
and withdrawal ultimately.' It must be considered an integrated whole.
to find out. He told them we would be guided by considerations of the
Per instructions, Haig did not give any indication of what we
feel is the ultimate view of the Soviet side though guests were pressing
Guests- fuzzed up their views also as to where we go after a ceasefire.
,GOP, and we had no intention of bringing any pressure on them.
Haig made points you had outlined and noted that Soviets had
? come back in looking for a way out but gave guests - no He
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
TOP SECRET TIMNISITIVE/EXCLUSIVELY EYY ONLY
said we, were' absolutely firm on this issue with them and intended to
continue so. He also took opportunity to point out that it was not
helpful for the guests to characterize our actions as weak and that
we had consulted with them every step of the way and would continue
to do so. It would not be helpful for thorn to characterize our actions
incorrectly.
Haig updated them on movements and actions of others.
Haig gave other side copy of today's press release.
New subject: You have received draft UNGA Resolution
which is also in hands of Bush. If any. changes desired, please flash.
TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/El XCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
V
R
The (blank ) side has carefully studied the opinion put
forward by the President last time. We agree to the principles
here spoken of, that is in order to implement the UN Resolution of the
General Assembly within the framework of a united Pakistan immediate.
ceasefire must first be effected both in East and West Pakistan which
will be followed by total withdrawal-by both sides. For this purpose,
we also agree to the convening of an emergency meeting of the
Security Council. However, in so doing, . one must not show the
slightest sign of weakness towards the Soviet Union and India. The
ceasefire and withdrawal will be realized in steps. No recognition
For our part, we are stepping up
support and assistance to Pakistan. We must adhere to the principle
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6
If6 c Jam.
. TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/EYES ONLY
TO: R. T. KENNEDY, WHITE HOUSE
FROM: HENRY A.. KISSINGER
Please get to Haig urgently at meeting place. Tell him to
listen first to other eiders proposal. He should not reveal content of
Soviet approach but state that we have had a. message indicating they
are getting nervous 'and looking for way out. We will try to get them
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/01 : LOC-HAK-460-9-23-6