UPDATED REPORT ON WHERE WE STAND IN PARIS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 24
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 27, 2010
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: August 10, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
WITIT E 13:0 U SE INFORMATION
WASHINGTON August 10, 1971
TOP ,,RITTT/SEINNSITivE
USIVELY EYES ONLY
MEMORANDUM FOR: HENRY A. KISSINGER
FROM: W. R. SM.YSER/'W'INSTON LORD
SUBJECT: Updated Report on Where We Stand
in Paris
Attached is an updated version of the report on where we stand
on the principal issues in Paris. 'T'his follows the format of
the earlier version, comparing the for:Lnal positions of both
sides and the verbal amplifications through the July 26 meeting,
as well as what the Current Situation now looks li k.e. In addition,
we have added a section on the question of Procedure, i.. e, ,
XVI):i'- hrrp rif is cairn is ~7i .ccn..r7 41-t tr 77wa, f ,.
We have put a copy of this into your briefing book. along with
other appropriate backg.rontid material..
I'ECRET /SENSITIVE
'IV LY EYES ONLY
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
DEC
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
ELY I a'Y ES ONLY
NVN AND US POSITIOINTS ON KE"Y ISSUES
(through July 12, 1971)
.
Their Position
Point 1: "The withdrawal of the totality of U. S. forces and those of
foreign countries in the U. S. camp from South Vietnarri and other
Indochinese countries should. be completed within 1971."
Point'6: ' The problems existing among the Indochinese countries
should be settled by the Indochinese parties on, the basis of mutual
respect for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and
non-interference in each other's affairs. As fa.r as it is concerned,
the Democratic Republic of Vietnnam is prepared, to join in resolving such
problems.
Our Position
. Point 1: "We are prepared to set a terminal date for the withdrawal
of all our forces from South Vietnam. We would arra ;. e for roughly
the same timetable .for the withdrawal of other Allied forces. "
Point 2: "The Vietnamese and the other peoples of Indochina should
discuss among themselves the manner in which all other outside forces
would withdraw from the countries of Indochina.
Their July 12 Statements
Xuan Thu :
-~- ,1 we prapo .e 1971, let you now propose another date and we shall, examine the dates to see which one is more reasonable. "
Tho_ specifically said that they had not agreed to our Point 2, and
proposed their Point 6 instead.
The withdrawal should not be linked to a general cease-fire, which
should follow only upon a general agreement.
Our JEMI 12 stilt(;.-I)('.nts
lwarn ~:v .arya~. a+-.arr.+~r.r.+~xw,a.~::+~;u.a.=aa"sce~mxn+tui~
"We are prepared to give you a date for the total withdrawal of If. S.
and allied forces as the first item of business once we have come to an
TOP S7%C~1Zf'..:'7' f~I'N5..1 rl; F OI~ITSEVI~LY EYI~S ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
WITHDRAWAL OF PONCES
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
TOPS .....743T/5:T;N;117.`IVt /S;XC;1_,tiSIV1 LYE-- S ONLY 2
agreement on the framework. We agree that this be the first item of
business and that it would be mutually agreed. "
"The 1\4..i.nister has let his optimism run away with la nn." (re 1971)
"We maintain Point 2 of our 7 point proposal.. " We pointed out that
it was Point 3 of their old 10 points.
"We believe that the principle should be accepted. that the troops of each
of the countries of Indochina should stay within their borders. But we
agree that the details of this can be discussed among the countries of
Indochina."
Their iuly_Z6 Statements
Xuan Th.u - "You said that you agreed to the principle of U.S. troop
withdrawal linked with t:l_te question of pri.sone_'c. TheI1T.`NSITIVI~/l rC7,[JSIV,i_;1:~Y :[,Yr;S C)N111'
Current. Situation:
This issue remain; d.ea.dlocked. They still want us to do their political
work for them, whereas we are pushing for the evolution of the political
process.
They continue to insist that we get rid of Thieu. They have made clear that
they want not only a change of. policy but also a change of personality. And
vice versa.'Ihey have offered to agree on the removal. of Thieu secre.tl.y
in order to save our honor (sic). They have been somewhat a.mbilavent in
their demands ranging from a deal to over throw Thieu, to changing policy
as well. as people, to our malting sure the right candidate wins the election.
We.have said that we will include the political issue in an agreement.
We are p.?epared to make a. statement of principles pic:clging a, fixed
withdrawval., limitations on aid, neutrality for Sout.J? Vietrnam., our of n
neutrality in the politi.ca.l laro~c and azgreen'aenlt to evezn.tual reuni.fication.,
as well as our readiness to define our political, ec.ono11-1ic, and military
Y ? r:3.
7 _4
J_' -11. .. s... F ; 'i.: .
We have made.. crystal clear %vc will not replace Th::iou, while suggesting
that our pcili.ta_c:al formulations might affect the election c,anxpa.i.gn. \Nrc
have said we will. -con sid.e.r. new_foJrntolations they-n-light propose within our
fram ework,
TO C ICI T /SI?:rT~SI'I TVI~/ I~,XC:ICJ~,TVLLY EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
`7L0P S l 7' /SE \T5I'I TVI. /E KCI,tTSIVF 1 ,ir I_Y ES ONLY
NVN AND US .->OSI:TIOI.NS ON KIU.Y ISSUES
.. ~._~_..... ~-thrat.7~71 7 j."j._._..__.~
RE:I?I3.R.~'I'TC] ,S/ECO[~C)~i:lC AID
Their Position
Poin.t4: "The United States Government must bear full responsibility
for the damages caused by the United States to the peace of the whole of
Vietnam, The government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. and the
Provisional. -Revolutionary- Government of the Republic of South Vietnam.
demand from. the U. S. Clovernment reparaat:ions for the damage caused by
the U. S. in the two zones of Vietnam . "
Our Position
Not covered in our seven I)oi.n1?r;,
Xuan 'I.Thuv: Regarding;" point four, you said Ihr. U. S. would grant
economic a.-id to the In CIO china`count.ii,es... Ii: is a vo-lantary> act on the part
of the, U. S. Cove.rn.znent:. But as far as %v are concerned we want some-
thi.r:)g. tviore precise. What is-the e s. e nee of you,, stat.e.?:mcnt?
Xua.a1 Do you mean economic aid without reparyment? "
Our July 12 St-'ate:11:1E'nts
'Let me talk about point four next. I believe that it is a point that will.
be easy in substance but difficult if you involve it with our honor. We
cannot accept that z is a condition of peace that we should pay reparations
.to end a war, On, the other hand, we are prepared to declare unilaterally
that we will engage in a substantial program of economic rehabilitation
of th.e-counta,ies of Indochina. I frankly have not discussed with the
President how to do this, but I have the following idc:. s?
''word example, the Presidont could either 'make i, statement in. winch
he would declare that upon conclusion of the war we would set aside a
certain sun-) for rehabilitation of Indochina., or make a speech asking Congress
to express support for this. And this, in my judgment, could be quite a
substantial sLrm, but I wou.lcl l.ilce to discuss in. Washington what the sum
would be, if you are interested.
---~..T.._._ ._,_...~.
T S IE,CIR1,T/SIaNSITIV)C/I+EXC,I.,I.TSIVTTJY EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3 '3'
TOP S l T/ 1 N ]TI VI"j:C;y,CTUSIVELY EYES ONLY
"But we can do this only as a voluntary act, and not as a result of
pressure. And I: believe it is also in the interest: of both our countries
because this could lay the basis for a new relatlo-nshi-p between u.s. "
(After Xuan Thuy asks about whether it would be without r.?epa.') oent):
"Stabstantiall.y, yes." (Xuan Thuy: "ON. ") But I want to check the details.
I.think this. is no. problem. I don't think repayment will be a problem. "
Their Jul 3b Staternents
Xuan ThIj ''We have clearly. stated the responsibility of the Ti. S. for
the loss of human life and property caused during the war in both North
and South Vietnam. You want to raise tl:l.e question of aid. We shall consider
your views.''
Our Jiilv 26 Statern e'n
" Thfe President is preIx-ired, upon signature of an agreernenzt in princ.ipl.e,
to co to the C 01-IcTres i. an,d to r`es.coin.n'ior1C1 To the (.,onr-Yrc ' a five-year prm?,rarn
of assistance for all the countr:ie of I'riclochina. T ze surn he is prepared to
recornlrsend to the: Congress is about seven and a'. 1Jta.'r. billion. dollars over a
five-year period, of -which two to two. and a. half billion dollars would be -
dedicated to North. Vietnaain.
"Tlla question of repayment: would not be a problem. Over two-thirds
of the funds would. be in outright grants. The rem ainder would be in very
long term, very low interest rate loans which pose no practical problems
of repa.y'77'lent. Even that is adj,.astable. "
"There would be no conditions attached to this assistance program.
There is basic agreement on this issue, with Hanoi being ready to accept
aid in lieu of "reparations" in an agreement, while probably making its own
statements about our culpability. They did not react to the amount and terms
of our aid. These are perhaps subject to further negotiation, but should.n't
be a real probler- .
o Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
TOP S]- ( , /ST NSITIVT/IFXCI-,1)TSIV7a;T..,Y F -,YES ONLY
NVN AND US POSITIONS ON KEY ISSUES
(through. July 12, 1.9'71.)
Their Position
CIaA,SEl''IRE AN]-) INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION
Point 7: "All the, parties should achieve a ceasefire after the signing
of the agreements on the above mentioned problems, "
Point 8: "T)iere should be an international supervision. "
Point: 3: ?There should be a ceasefire io place throughout Indochina,
to becor:7ie effective at the time when U. S. based on the final
agreed timetable begi.in. "
Point 4: "As part of the ceasefire, there should be no further infiltration
n
' ~:'~ lri t. ~.?.A..UI J ~~'. ~... ~. j,,;t.1..1r: i. t.. l/~d. Lit n.. .. ?.... 4.r x
Point. 5 : "There should be international su.pervisie,:-, of the ceasefire
and its provisions
Their July 12 Statement:
Le Du.c; Tho: "One of your points deals with, you say that there should
be,international. supervision of the ceasefire and its provisions, We agree
in principle on this point, but on when and how a ceasefire will, start, there
is still, disagreement between its.
Our JL1l. I? StatE'ni.{'.,nts
"We accept point seven in principle, but we want to define it as follows
on the basis of 'our points three and four: there should be a. general cease-
fire throughout Indochina, to begin when an agreement is signed. As part
of that ceasefire, there should be no further infiltration. of outside. fO 2c-c .;
into all the countries of Indochina. "
Their Ji l.v 26 Statervientts
Xuan Thuy: "Regarding our Point 7, you said that you agreed in principle.
You said that once agreement is reached, on the above Point 6, then a
TO C:RfaT%SF..NSI'IIVT,/1,YCf.1TT~iISrI~S~Y J:,~rE, (~NI
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3 y""``'
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
TOP S.E t T/SrI~TSI'T"IV"L'/I:,XC;1 1JsT.v.I+ I.,"]r EYES ONLY
ceasefire should be agreed. You proposed to acid a few more ideas. I
think your request could be considered.. "
Xuan Tlhuj As to our Point 8 (and our Point 9), you said that you agreed
to then-n. I have nothing to add. Whe,.i the time comes, we :_:hall discuss
these points in detail.
our. .July 26 Statements
''Suppose we agree on .a ceasefire, to give you a concrete example.
The international conference would deal with the technical supervision of
the ceasefire, e. g. , how many teams, where they should be. "
Current Situatiouui
There is agreement that there should ',_ a. with tl.-1c following
issues.still to be resolved;
yvii ;n t:loey UiC Ceaset'il'e f.:)[.'.4.'.in
What forces ceasefire and tip on
Does the ceasefire include cessation of infi.lit
-- Is the ceasefire valid throughout Indochina or just Vietnam.?
-- Reconnaissance flights. (On May 31 Xuan Timy said that these
flights can lead to war and that the DRY, as a sovereign cotunntry,
"cannot bear reconnaissance flights over our country. ")
--- Better understanding of international (and other) ~ui ;ion.
-- Better understanding on tyke of ceasefire (e. g. , in-place or
regro.upment. )
TOP ,." _,CRET /SEivS T1VE/E:? C:L,USIVELY I Y17, S ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
T,,)'-ES Ol`,1_.Y
N'VN AND US POSITIONS ON KEY ISSUES
)
(th ough July 11, 19 7 1
INDOCITI..NA, 'T'i:;L' Ca1;r~:i V l1 ACCOl_]=~s AND
IN`I'E;RN.ATIONA.7, C'MARA-1\1 TEES
Their
Point-`5: The U. S. should respect the 1954 Geneva Agreements on
Indochina and those of 1962 on Laos. It should stop its aggression and
intervention, in the Indochinese countries and, let their people settle by
themselves their own a.ffai.rs.
Point 6: "The probl.em.s existing among the Indochinese.-. countries
should be settled by tl'i.c. Itrc3..oclrinose part,i_es on the basis of 3-nutual.
respect for the indeper:rdence, ;overcif nty, te.rz i'tori. 7. integrity and
non-interference in each other's affairs. Pss, far as it :it_ concerned., the
Der rnca-a-Ltic Republic of Vietmvra is preparcod to join in. resolving such
problems . "
Point 9: "There should be an. international. gua1. &ntee for the
fundamental national rights of the lndclchiniese peoples;, the neutrality
of South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and lasting peace in this regioaa.
Our Position
Point 6: " Both sides should renew tl:]ei:r pledge to respect the 1954
and 1962 Geneva Accords, to respect the neutrality, territorial integrity,
and independence of Laos and Cambodia. This could be formalized at
an international conference. "
Their July 12 Statements
LDT: "As for your Point 6, both sides should renew their pledge
to support the 1954 Geneva Agreement ; we agree on that and we have
carried Lids out. if
You said there should be international. ,i.c:l. r~otivledf:;a:x~cnt at an international
conference.. We have said there should be international. guarantee of the
agreements, not only for Vietnam but also for Laos and Cambodia.
TOP .53"CY ZIT :iEN TTIVlEfF :C:TITI; IV:f1I..Y ITYII. y ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
TOJL131 c 1TSIvELY EYES c..)r~f X
Xuan Thu.y. "The difference between the. 7 points of Madan-rie Binh and
our 9points have been pointed out by Mr. Le JJuc Tho. But I would like
to point out, this very important difference: she only sp ;ak: :,'bout within
Vietnam, but in our 9 points we have raised the question of the whole of
Indochina. It is a very important point. "
Our Iul r lZ Staterncuzts
"Point five we accept in principle but not in the language in which it
is now drafted. We are prepared to respect the,1.954 and 1962 Geneva
A..cords on the basis of reciprocity applying to all- countries. We consider
phrases like "U. S. aggression" rhetorical and unacceptable and they must
be removed. "
"Point six, we. accept the.prir?ici.ple t: at; t.aa( iaa.tur of Indochina. should
be settled by the Indochinese par ties on tl t_: li a.s:is o" i ut.u.al respect for
izidc.pc:n,clcrac,c, SOS"C 'el, illy, tc;a r.itor .c 1 3 !(cu a i .v a:[ Cl 7"ic -i.nter,fc 7. ence in
It, each oth.er'r affairs. WVe {lain} th :A.t: the l a.st senteriee of your point should
be reanovecl becraU.;e cent'rarv to your intentions it. arinalies that voi:U have
special rights which I am sure you have, no wish to claim.
"We accept. poi,.nts (S anu ;
-,Their Jul
Z6 S-UA cnl e f t r.-
Xuan Thu -: "With regard to Point 5, you. said it would not be difficult
for you to agree in principle >i_th it, but, you would like to see another
fora-rmul.ation. We shall consider this view, this question.''
"In Point'6,. we, have shown our goodwill in a reasonable proposal for
the sett:leam-lent of problems colic er.ning the Indochinese countries. You
proposed that we should remove the last sentence of our proposal. I do
not understand yet the reason for your r. equest, but we shall discuss that. "
Xuan Thuy "As to (our Point 8 and) our Point 9, you said that you agreed
to them.. T have nothing to add. When the. time comes we shall dismiss
these points in detail, "
Our July' 26 Stateii3e.nt:s
"We bel:l.eve, fi.rst:, that the political solution of each. country. in Indochina
should be di.sc-ossed, first by the various 1:)tz t't;i.es in each counnntry.
TOP ',.'4' EX CS_,LTSTVELY ]E Y S ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
I beli eve,
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
TC}I? >1" ZI T/'~J,'tvSITTVIt /i=,'` f l,rJSl~'I11.,Y 17,YcS UNI.,Y
40
secondly, that this meeting here could make reconnrnendati.ons to the
parties on some of the military issues, such as ceasefire and release of
prisoners. Thirdly, there could be an international guarantee for these
various arrangements and also the provision of international supervision
such as you proposed in your Points 8 and 9. I do not believe personally,
but we are open on this,-, that the exact membership of the.: Gevwva Conference
of 1954 .is necessarily the best grouping to provide this, and would be
open to your suggestions on what countries would be best to provide interna-
tional supervision and guarantees. We both have the same int:c gists in
this respect, to got a reasonable group, and I think we could agree.''
Cur rent: ituatic?:,.
(After discussion. about: the Caannboclia:ns and the Laotians and the
Vietnamese each settling their affairs, and then having an international
conference guarantee the agreements reached), "except for those
aspects here, such as ceasefire and prisoners of and n('11tralization,
and of course withdrawal of o.ur forcer-:.
Suppose we agree; on the ineu'tralizatio. n of nil true countries of Indochina.
Then an interna.t;ional conference can guarantee this and rer.ogni,7e i..I,
PT
VV C czlt ; ;tIU, cLTi 'irate i"7.iam7.onat coni erenee work Out the conditions
of our arra.ngemelnts.i{
There is surface agreement that the Inlochinnese people should settle their
own problems, but no indication. as to how they will be settled.
Several. issues remain
-~ .How axe the North Vietnam ese and other outside forces to be handled?
How do we involve the other Indochinese parties in a settlement?
-= Who are the other respousihle j2arties?
--. Will local political alTn c emcmts have to precede local ceasefires?
(I-Ianoi's po ition1. on this differs in Laos and Cambodia. )
What kind of international super-\vi.sion will. there be in I..'aos and Cambodia?
TOP CRET/SENNSITIVF/7i~XCLUSTVELY EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
TO. Z1 ;T 71 rf ,r 1 1V~ F' C r Ir~;rVFT l 1 5 1~. C)NT ~.
What special )r.:iv3Jerges dotes North Viotnaani haver in discu1sin, these
things (and, in the case of Cambod.:i~i, should Saigon have a voice as it
will proba.bly want)?
There is agreement to respect the Gei:acevaa. Accord's but no concrete way to
._...f.__.- ....
go about this.
There is also agreement on i.nternatzon 1 + u,.rantees but no agreement on
how they v i.ll be arranged. s'a'c have suggested are. ir:z.tc z n~ition.al co.zfcrence~
but Hanoi has avoided this issue.
AFT/S7z:r~TSI'1~11'J /T C:I;.,USTVl~X~Y EYES ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/04/27: LOC-HAK-246-4-29-3
10 1:' VI: Y 1;YL;S ()I cI,Y
PROCEDURES
This issue did not arise in the earlier d.i..:cussion but it did
up on July 26, perhaps as a result of the Peking visit ors i-,ec.au.:;(;"
the North Vietnamese feel tl-).ey need a clearer understanding of where
we are going.' It. was they who raised it.
Their July 2.6 Statements
Le I)uc Tho: ''But to reach an agree-.n'>.e;;.t on a general framework,
first we agree on the two principal points, Points 1 ancl. 3. If we agree
in p -incipl.e on these two questdons, then ot.he-;r quest'ion.s can be settled
(cites agreement in principle or1.7\`VN Point:; a t ?
~.. ci.7,lti 9 a.71.%7 1?RG Points 4
arid 5, and NVi r ill:i.ru.nc ;s to consider I'cirlt.r. 4, 5, 6, and 7 -lout: all
these a i.-e " ':ie'condary "'1 ea`-iily. 1\ToC ];.now whether you
agree to this way of clie>c:ur;,sign, both niil.:i.ta.ry and pol.it.ical, and to reach
U.
" et.t1C:~7rC::i.1t;, i] Ca u ,t: t:'he:;e two c.i1:le.stion s are Lr,i.e spinal Done of the
1:ralncvrorl:.. Wi.tbout: the spin al, bootie, the r'i71e9wo }~ will c:ollar.'p