CEASE FIRE PLANNING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: January 3, 2013
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: November 4, 1972
• Content Type: CABLE

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
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ON-FILE NSC RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY -
T 0 P S E C R ET SENSITIVE 04080OZ t1OV 72 VIA CAS CHANNELS (BUNKER)
SECTION 1 OF 3
FROM: AMBASSADOR ' SAIGON 0248 IMMEDIATE
TO: THE TE HOUSE, EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY FOR HENRY A. KISSINGER
REF: WHS 2305Cr1k'o) )
SUBJECT: CEASE FIRE PLANNING
1. AS INSTRUCTED REFTEL, I ASKED FRED WEYAND TO FORM SMALL PLANNING
STAFF TO WORK 01,11T-DETAILS OF FOUR PARTY JOINT MILITARY COMMISSION. I
AM FORWARDING HIS SUGGESTIONS IN THIS MESSAGE. GENERAL WEYAND HAS
DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM INFORMALLY WITH GENERAL VIEW WHO AGREES THAT
THEY SHOULD DISCUSS THE OUTLINE OF THE PROPOSED FOUR PARTY JOINT
COMMISSION. VIEN AGREES WITH THE THRUST AND MAIN POINTS OF THE PRO-
POSAL. NEXT WEEK, GENERAL WEYAND WILL PREPARE A GRAPHIC OUTLINE
OF THE DETAILED ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES WHICH HE WILL GO OVER WITH
-GENERAL VIEN. VIEN WANTS TO KEEP THE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN HIM AND
GENERAL.WEYAND WITHOUT REFERENCE TO HIGHER AUTHORITY AT THE MOMENT.
BEGIN TEXT:
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
AN UNDERSTANDING FOR THE FORMATION
OF THE_
FOUR-PARTY JOINT MILITARY COMMISSION
1.? IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE - 11 OF THE AGREEMENT ON
ENDING THE WAR AND RESTORING PEACE IN VIETNAM, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC.OF VIETNAM, THE
GOVERNMENT .OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC' OF VIETNAM, AND THE PROVISIONAL
REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH VIETNAtI HAVE AGREED ON
THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS FOR THE.FORMATION OF THE FOUR-PARTY JOINT
MILITARY COMMISSION, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE COMMISSION, AND
UNDERTAKE TO RESPECT AND TO IMPLEMENT THEM:
2.. ., ORCANIZATI.ON:
-'.,(A) THE COMMISSION EACH GOVERNMENT WILL DESIGNATE ONE MILITARY
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RANK OF MAJOR GENERAL (OR EQUIVALENT) TO SERVE ON
THE COMMISSION. EACH REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE AUTHORIZED NOT MORE THAN
TWO EXECUTIVE STAFF ASSISTANTS; AND THE REPRESENTATIVE AND HIS ASSIS-
T: TANTS WILL CONSTITUTE THE ACCREDITED GOVERNMENTAL DELEGATION TO THE
COMMISSION.
(B) SECRETARIAT: THE'COMMISSION WILL BE ASSISTED BY A SECRETARIAT
CONSISTING OF EQUAL REPRESENTATION FROM THE FOUR PARTIES, THE SECRE-
TARIAT WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STAFF ELEMENTS:
INVTHIS,UNDERSTANDING~.IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN
(1) OPERATIONS CENTER: INHERENT WITHIN THE CONCEPT OUTLINED
OPERATIONS CENTER.' THIS CENTER WOULD BE STAFFED BY AN ADEQUATE AND
EQUAL REPRESENTATION FROM EACH OF THE FOUR PARTIES TO MONITOR ACTIVI-
TIES ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.
RECORDS OF ACTIVITIES WOULD BE MAINTAINED WHICH REFLECT
INCIDENTS REPORTED, LOCATION, NATURE OF ANY ALLEGATION, SOURCE, ACTION
TAKEN IN RESPONSE, ETC..
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES'(TO INCLUDE RADIO, LAND LINES,
TELETYPE, ETC.) WOULD BE CENTRALIZED AT THE OPERATIONS CENTER.
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE AND INTERPRETER SECTION: WOULD PROVIDE
CLERICAL SUPPORT, INTERPRETING AND TRANSLATING SERVICES, PREPARE
COMMUNIQUES, MAINTAIN THE MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION'S MEETINGS UNDER
THE SUPERVISION OF THE SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION.
(3) COMPTROLLER SECTION: WOULD MAINTAIN RECORDS OF THE EXPENSES
ENTAILED IN THE OPERATION OF THE COMMISSION AND ITS SUBORDINATE ELEMENTS
AND WOULD PRORATE THE EXPENSES AT AN EQUITABLE RATE AMONG THE PAR-
TICIPATING PARTIES.
(4) PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION: WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING
THE JOINT COMMUNIQUES OF THE COMMISSION AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO THOSE
NEWS.MEDIA.-REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE.ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
. i i
(5)*LOGISTICS COORDINATION SECTION: WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
ORGANIZING AND ARRANGING THE FACILITIES AND ASSETS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT
THE COMMISSION.
(C) REGIONAL.CONTROL GROUP:
(1) EACH GOVERNMENT WILL DESIGNATE AN OFFICER OF THE GRADE OF
COLONEL (OR EQUIVALENT) TO SERVE ON A RESPECTIVE REGIONAL CONTROL
GROUP WHICH WILL SUPERVISE DIRECTLY THOSE AREAS OF INTEREST OF THE
COMMISSION IN EACH OF THE MILITARY REGIONS OF SOUTH VIETNAM. THE
MILITARY REGIONS.FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE ARE DEFINED AS THOSE
AREAS DELINEATED BY THE FOUR MILITARY REGION BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED
BY. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM. EACH OF THESE COLONELS
WILL BE AUTHORIZED TWO SUBORDINATE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS WHO9 WITH THE
COLONEL, WILL CONSTITUTE EACH GOVERNMENT'S ACCREDITED MEMBERSHIP ON THE
REGIONAL CONTROL GROUP.
(2) THE REGIONAL CONTROL GROUP WILL RESPOND TO DIRECTIVES
FROM THE COMMISSION AND WILL SUBMIT APPROPRIATE REPORTS, AND RESULTS
OF SUPERVISION, AS DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION.
(3) EACH REGIONAL CONTROL GROUP WILL BE SUPPORTED BY THE
FOLLOWING STAFF ELEMENTS:
OPERATIONS SECTION.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND INTERPRETER SECTION
COMPTROLLER SECTION
(4) EACH REGIONAL CONTROL GROUP'S OPERATIONS SECTION WILL BE
ADEQUATELY STAFFED BY AN EQUAL NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FOUR
PARTIES TO PERMIT TEAM OPERATIONS ON A CONTINUOUS. BASIS. COMMUNICATIONS
FACILITIES FOR THE REGIONAL CONTROL GROUPS WILL BE CENTRALIZED IN THE
RESPECTIVE OPERATIONS SECTIONS.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
T 0 P S E C R E. 'T ,.SENSITIVE 04080OZ NOV 72 VIA CAS.CHANNELS (BUNKER)
SECTION '2 OF 3 . . .
IMMEDIATE
M
O
FROM: AMBASSADOR BUN~iER SIVEL
A. KISSINGER
FOR
Y` EYES ONLY
TO: THE WHITE HOUSE, EXCLU
(5) THE wfRKING. PROCEDURES OF THE REGIONAL CONTROL GROUPS WILL
BE' AS PRESCRIBED AND' APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION.
(D) CONTROL TEAM: THE REGIONAL CONTROL GROUP WILL BE STAFFED
~-AT AN ADEQUATE LEVEL TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF FIVE CONTROL TEAMS,
EACH COMPOSED-0F'A SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH OF THE FOUR PARTIES.
THESE'CONTROL TEAMS WOULD BE DEPLOYED. TO OUTLYING AREAS WHERE THEY
,WOULD PROVIDE ON-SITE SUPERVISION OF THOSE ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE
PURVIEW, OF THE COMMISSION. (SEE PARAGRAPH 5 FOR AN ALTERNATIVE
ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONTROL TEAMS)
MISSIONSUPPORT
(1) GOMMUNITWOILL9BERINSCORSONANCEAWTTH'ADMINISTRATIVE
FOR THE CONTROL TEAMS
REQUIREMENTS. .
(2) IN CERTAIN INSTANCES, EXTANT CORDS NFCCILITIES COULD 9E
EMPLOYED BY THE CONTROL TEAMS TO PRECLUDE
ESTABLISHMENT OF SEPARATE SUPPORT.
3. WORKING PROCEDURES: '
(A) THE COMMISSION SHALL OPERATE IN ACCORDCEWTHE PRINCIPLE
OF CONSULTATIONS AND UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT. DISAGREEMENTS
REFERRED TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF CONTROL AND SUPERVISION.
(B) THE-COMMISSION SHALL BEGIN OPERATING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT AND END ITS ACTIVITIES AFTER .THE IMPLEMENTATION
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
OF 'THE PROVISIONS LISTED IN PARAGRAPH 1 OF THIS UNDERSTANDING.
(C) THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE LOCATED IN SAIGON.
(D) THE COMMISSION WILL CONVENE TN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FOR A
MEETING FROM ANY OF THE REPRESENTATIVES TO ENSURE JOINT ACTION ON ANY
CIRCUMSTANCE WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE COMMISSION.
(E) MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION'S MEETINGS WILL BE KEPT IN BOTH
ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE, AND WILL BE APPROVED BY ALL PARTIES.
(F) ALL COMMUNIQUES OF THE COMMISSION .WILL BE ISSUED .JOINTLY AND
IN A TEXT APPROVED BY THE PARTICIPATING PAXT'IES. ALL COMMUNIQUES OF
THE COMMISSION WILL BE ISSUED IN TWO LANGUAGES; ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE.
(G) THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARIAT WILL INCLUDE, INTER ALTA,
REPRESENTATION FROM RESPECTIVE COV7S,~IMENTAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICES
AND WILL BE PREPARED. TO-ACCOMMODo9-rf.REASOPNABL:E REQUIREMENTS FROM NEWS
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE ACCREDITED BY TUE, COMMISSION.
Of) 'THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMISSION WILL ROTATE THROUGHOUT THE
TERM OF THE COMMISSION'S EXISTENCE AND WILL PASS SUCCESSIVELY TO EACH
OF THE GOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES FOLLOWING A TERM OF OFFICE OF
FIFTEEN DAYS IN THIS ORDER: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM, PROVISIONAL REVOLUTIONARY
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM.
(I) THE EXPENSES ENTAILED IN THE OPERATION OF THE COMMISSION
AND ITS 'SUBORDINATE ELEMENTS WILL BE PRORATED AT AN EQUITABLE RATE
AMONG THE PARTICIPATING PARTIES. AGREEABLE RATES AND CHARGES
WILL BE TABULATED'AND LIQUIDATION OF THESE OBLIGATIONS WILL BE EFFECTED
TO THE HOST GOVERNMENT WITHIN DAYS OF THE TERMINATION OF EACH 30
DAY PERIOD OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE COMMISSION..
(J) THE CONFERENCE ROOM FOR THE COMMISSION WILL PROVIDE ADEQUATE
ACCOMMODATIONS TO PERMIT AND SUPPORT THE BUSINESS MEETINGS BUT WILL BE
AUSTERE IN THAT IT WILL NOT CONTAIN ANY INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL OR GOVERN-
MENTAL INSIGNIA OR HERALDIC SYMBOLOGY. THE PARTICIPATING REPRESENTATIVIS
ON THE COMMISSION WILL WEAR UNIFORMS APPROPRIATE TO SERVICE AND GRADE
AT ALL FORMAL ,MEETINGS.1
"(K) THE COMMISSION WILL PRESCRIBE AND APPROVE THE WORKING
PROCEDURES WHICH WILL GOVERN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE REGIONAL, TEAMS,
AND WILL APPROVE A SITE FOR TEAM LOCATION IN EACH RESPECTIVE REGIONS.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
T 0 , r to rc r Nall tvi' 040SOOZ NOV 72 IV CAS CHANNELS (BUNKER)
1"INAL SECTION OF
FROM: AMBASSADOR BUNKER SAIGON 0249 IMMEDIATE
TO: THE WHITE HOUSE, EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY FOR HENRY A. KISSINGER
(L) WHENEVER THE COMMISSION MUST TRAVEL BEYOND THE CAPITAL
MILITARY DISTRICT LIMITS TO DISCHARGE ITS FUNCTIONS, THE COMQASSION WILL
MOVE AS A BODY, AND WHERE FEASIBLE WILL OCCUPY THE SAME VEHICLE.
(N) PARTICIPANS ON THE COMMISSION, THE REGIONAL CONTROL GROUPS
AND THE CONTROL TEAMS, AS WELL AS THE RESPECTIVE STAFFS, WILL BE ISSUED
SPECIFIC CREDENTIALS OF IDENTIFICATION.
(N) A DISTINCTIVE BADGE AND APPROPRIATE BRASSARD WILL BE WORN BY
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, REGIONSDCCONTROL GROUPS, CONTROL TEAMS AND
THEIR RESPECTIVE STAFFS WHEN SUCH HERSONNEL'ARE AFIELD ON COMMISSION
MATTERS OF INTEREST.
(0) VEHICLES, TO INCLUDE AUTOMOTIVE, AIRCRAFT AND WATERBORNE CRAFT,
'WHICH ARE EMPLOYED IN-SUPPORT OF THE COMMISSION AND ITS ELEMENTS WILL
DISPLAY DISTINCTIVE MARKINGS OF IDENTIFICATION.
HDKP) PUBLICITY MEDIA OF ALL TYPES WILL BE EMPLOYED TO ACQUAINT THE
POPULAK
SOF ALL AREAS OF-SOUTH VIETNAM, AND OTHER COUNTRIES AS APPROPRI-
ATE, OF THE EXTERNAL DISTINCTIVE IDE IOFICATION DEVICES, MARKINGS AND
INDJGNIA OF THE COMMISSION AND ITS SUPPORTING ELEMENTS. DEFERENCE,
RIGHT OF WAY, AND COOPERATION WILL BE ACCORDED COMMISSION REPRESENTA-
TIVES TO FACILITATE THE OFFICIAL MISSION OF THE COMMISSION.
4. FACILITIES: .
HTN (A) TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES FOR THE COMMISSION AND ITS SUBORDIN-
ATE ELEMENTS-WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIET-
NAN (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE HOST GOVERNMENT). THESE FACILITIES I"
CONSIST OF AUTOMOTIVE, AIRCRAFT AND WATERBORNE CRAFT AS APPROPRIATE
AND AS REQUIRED
(B) THE HOST GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION IN
SAIGON FOR THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(C) THE COMMISSION, THE SECRETARIAT, AND THE NATIONAL DELEGATIONS
WILL BE BILLETED BY THE HOST GOVERNMENT IN SUITABLE ACCOMMODATIONS IN
SAIGON. REASONABLE CARE WILL BE EXERCISED TO INSURE EQUIVALENCY OF
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONNEL OF EQUIVALENT RANK OR STATUS. THE SAME
STANDARDS WILL APPLY FOR THE BILLETING OF THE REGIONAL CONTROL GROUPS,
CONTROL TEAMS AND STAFFS.
(D) ADEQUATE COMMUNICATIONS, TO INCLUDE RADIO, LAND LINE, TELETYPE,
ETC.., WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE COMMISSION QND ITS SUBORDINATE ELEMENTS
BY THE HOST GOVERNMENT.
(E) THE OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE FACILITIES PROVDDEB WILL BE
PRORATED AMONG THE PARTIES.
5. ALTERNATIVE ARRAMXEMENT FOR CONTROL TEAMS: THE NUMBER OF CONTROL
TEAMS TO BE EMPLOYED IN EACH MILITARY REGION COULD BE EXPANDED TO
ACCOMMODATE PROVISION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE CONTROL TEAM IN EACH
PROVINCE.
END TEXT.
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2
.~ 1
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T 0 P S E C R E T 301746Z OCT 72 SENSITIVE EXCLUSIVELY EYES ONLY
VIA BUNKER CHANNELS
FROM: HENRY A. KISSINGER
TO : AMBASSADOR BUNKER
CITE: ,WHS23 5
DELIVER AT OPENING OF BUSINESS
OCTOBER 30, 1972
1. WHILE WE ARE AWAITING WORD FROM HANOI ABOUT RESUMING
OUR NEGOTIATIONS, WE SHOULD USE INTERVENTNG.PERIOD TO
PREPARE SUPERVISORY MACHINERY TO BE IN PLACE IMMEDIATELY AT
TIME CEASE-FIRE GOES INTO EFFECT. HERE IN WASHINGTON, WE
ARE WORKING ON INTERNATIONAL CONTROL COMMISSION PREPARATIONS.
WE WOULD LIKE YOU IN SAIGON TO MOVE AHEAD ON PREPARATIONS
FOR TWO-PARTY AND FOUR-PARTY JOINT MILITARY COMMISSIONS.
2. WE RECOGNIZE THAT GVN MAY BE RELUCTANT TO JOIN US IN
SUCH PLANNING WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO TAKE STAND IN PRINCIPLE
AGAINST CURRENT DRAFT AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, WE NOTE THAT THEY
ARE, NEVERTHELESS, MAKING MANY PRAGMATIC PREPARATIONS FOR A
CEASE-FIRE. WE CONSEQUENTLY THINK IT IS WORTH OUR 1-1HILE TO
ATTEMPT TO BRING THEM INTO PLANNING VENTURES WITH US.
3. PLEASE BRING FRED WEYAND COMPLETELY INTO PICTURE WITH
RESPECT OUR CURRENT DRAFT AGREEMENT AND HAVE HIM FORM VERY
SMALL PLANNING STAFF TO WORK OUT DETAILS OF FOUR-PARTY JOINT
MILITARY -COMMISSION IN FORM WE WOULD CONSIDER OPTIMUM TO U.S.
INTERESTS. ONCE HE HAS DONE THIS, HAVE HIM SEND US BRIEF
OUTLINE OF HIS THINKING THROUGH THESE CHANNELS NO LATER THAN
3 NOVEN3ER. HE SHOULD HAVE INFORMAL LIAISON WITH GENERAL
CAO VAN VIEN IN PREPARING HIS PLANS BUT SHOULD NOT RPT NOT AT
THIS STAGE UNDERTAKE TO EXCHANGE ANY PAPERS WITH VIEN.
4. IF WE FIND PLANS SATISFACTORY AND IF VIEN SEEMS WILLING '
PURSUE PLANNING MORE DEFINITIVELY, WE WILL INSTRUCT YOU
CONCERNING FURTHER STEPS TO BE TAKEN WITH GVN.
5. I AM SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE EXTREME SENSITIVITY OF THIS
MATTER AND URGE YOU TO CAUTION FRED WEYAMD AND ALL INVOLVED
THAT IT SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN WITH THE MOST SCRUPULOUS CARE
To AVOID COMPROMISE AND PUBLIC SPECULATION. GDS.
WARM REGARDS. - ?
"RV
? Y YIR 1tC ~["
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/03: LOC-HAK-490-9-6-2