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July 7, 1972

Summary of Zhou Enlai’s Talk with Xuan Thuy, Head of the DRV Delegation to the Paris Talks, in Beijing

7 月 7 日下午 5 时 40 分,在人民大会堂会见越南劳动党中央书记处书记、 出席关于越南问题的巴黎会议的越南政府代表团团长春水部长、越南外贸部 副部长李班等。春水通报巴黎会谈情况,越方准备两种可能性:一方面作继 续打的准备;另一方面也不放过任何在合情合理的基础上谈判解决的机会。 周总理通报同基辛格博士关于越南问题的会谈情况,指出越南战争是继续打 下去,还是美国有所松动谈判解决,今年 7、8、9、10 这 4 个月是关键时刻。

ZHOU ENLAI AND XUAN THUY, LY BAN[1]

 

Beijing, 5:40 p.m., 7 July 1972'

 

Xuan Thuy: The DRV is prepared for two possibilities: on the one hand to be ready for the continuation of the war and on the other hand not to miss any opportunity to achieve a negotiated settlement on a reasonable basis.


Zhou: Whether the Vietnam War will continue or end in a negotiated settlement because of the concessions form the United States, the four months from July to October this year will be a crucial period.

 

[1]The participants on the Vietnamese side included Ly Ban (DRV vice minister of foreign trade) and Ngo Thuyen; on the Chinese side Lin Biao, Zhou Enlai, Kang Sheng, and Huang Yongsheng (CCP Politburo member and PLA chief of staff).

In an excerpt from the talk, Zhou Enlai stresses the importance of the time between July and October 1972 for the Vietnam War.


Document Information

Source

Zhou Enlai waijiao huodong dashiji, 1949-1975 (Chronology of Zhou Enlai's Diplomatic Activities, 1949-1975) (Beijing: Shijie zhishi chubanshe, 1993), p. 636. Translation from CWIHP Working Paper #22, '77 Conversations between Chinese and Foreign Leaders on the Wars in Indochina, 1964-1977' (May 1998).

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Original Uploaded Date

2011-11-20

Type

Minutes of Conversation

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Record ID

111532