DESPUÉS DE “lA ENCHIlADA lIGHT”

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3.3. A survey o f new archival materials

The principal archival source o f this study is the National Archives and Records Administration (NA), Archives II, College Park, Maryland.49

Nixon Presidential Materials Staff (NPMS) The National Security Council Files (NSCF)

Subject Files (SF) include National Security Study Memoranda (NSSMs), the subsequent NSSM papers, and National Security Decision Memoranda (NSDMs). The files also include memoranda from Kissinger to Nixon as well as memoranda of conversations involving Nixon and Kissinger.

President’s Trip Files (PTF) include records o f Nixon’s trip to Europe from February to March 1969, including meetings with De Gaulle in March 1969; and records o f Nixon’s trip to Asia from late July to early August 1969, including his

49 For N ixon’s pre-presidential papers, and post-presidential papers, the Nixon Library & Birthplace is the only presidential library which is not U.S. government-sponsored, owing to N ixon ’s resignation as a result o f the Watergate scandal. The materials on China policy in the Nixon Library are rather thin. Julian Kirstin, Archivist, The Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, Correspondence with Komine, May 11, 2004; Nancy Tucker, Interview with Komine, October 1, 2003; Rosemary Foot, Interview with Komine, July 13, 2004; and Evelyn Goh, Correspondence with Komine, August 2, 2004. Documents on N ixon ’s pre-presidential period were thus obtained from the Transition Files in the National Security Council Files, N ixon Presidential Materials Staff, National Archives. FRUS volumes on China include a number o f documents from N ixon’s Vice-presidency era. For N ixon ’s speeches and interviews on China during the 1960s, this study consulted newspaper articles. Kom ine’s interviews with former NSC staff members also provide new evidence for N ixon ’s interest in China before 1969. Finally, the Congressional bill signed by President George W. Bush in earlier 2004 will allow for the m ove o f President N ixon’s White House papers and records from the National A rchives’ storage facilities in Maryland to the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda in February 2006. The transfer will christen the Nixon Library as part o f the official system o f Presidential libraries. Bulletin from Yorba Libra: Nixon Papers On The Road To Yorba Linda, December 10, 2004. On March 10, 2005, however, sixteen historians asked Congress to suspend plans for the transfer o f the Nixon tapes and files from the National Archives in College Park, Maryland to the Yorba Linda facility. The historians informed the members o f the U.S. Senate and House committees on appropriations that “The unprofessional behavior o f the Nixon Library leadership calls into question that institution’s fitness to join the Presidential Library system.” “Historians Ask Congress to Suspend Nixon Transfer,” National Security Archive Update, March 10, 2005.

announcement o f the Nixon Doctrine on July 25, 1969. The files also include the records o f the preparations for Nixon’s trip to China from July 1971 to January 1972, and the records o f Nixon’s trip to China in February 1972.

Country Files (CF) include records regarding South Asia, especially the development o f India-Pakistani mutual hostility from the early 1971 to the outbreak of war in December 1971. The files on Poland include the preparation o f the Warsaw ambassadorial talks in February 1969, and in January and February 1970.

Name Files fNF) include individual records o f such important academic experts and officials as Allen Whiting and Marshall Green. The folder on China includes Kissinger’s memoranda to Nixon prior to his visit to China in February 1972.

For the President Files (Winston Lord) - China Trip/Vietnam (FPF/Lord) include; the briefing papers, the so-called ‘Books’ for Kissinger’s trips to Beijing in July and October 1971; the State Department’s briefing papers for Nixon’s trip to China; the records of Nixon’s conversations with Chinese leaders in February 1972; exchanges with China from July 1971 to December 1972; and the records o f Kissinger’s trip to Beijing from June 19 to 23, 1972.

Alexander M. Haig Special File (Haig-File) includes the preparation for Haig’s advance trip to China, especially the ‘Books’; the original transcripts o f Haig’s talks with Premier Zhou in January 1972; and Haig’s daily cables to Kissinger from China.

Presidential/HAK Memcons (P/HAK Memcons) include the memoranda of conversations between Nixon and foreign leaders, including De Gaulle (February 28 to March 2, 1969), (March 31, 1969), and Ceausescu (August 2 to 3, 1969), (October 26 to 27, 1970).

For the President Files (FPF) - China/Vietnam Negotiations include the records of exchanges from December 1969 to July 1971; and the transcripts o f Kissinger’s with

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the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ch’iao Kuan-hua regarding the drafting of the joint communique in February 1972.

Henry A. Kissinger Office Files (HAKOF) include: General Goodpaster’s memoranda on the new NSC system; Transition Books; the NSC Planning Material; the NSC staff material; and the chronological details o f U.S. China Policy 1969-1972.

National Security Council Institutional Files (NSCIF)

This collection, declassified in July 2003, includes briefing papers for Nixon and Kissinger (NSC staff summary and Talking Points) and the NSC records (Senior Review Group Meeting Minutes, National Security Council Meeting Minutes, Washington Special Action Group Meeting Minutes).

White House Central Files (WHCF)

Confidential Files (CF) include the records o f writings by and about the President (Books and Articles) as well as the President’s News Analysis.

White House Special Files (WHSF)

President’s Office Files (POF) include summaries o f Nixon’s meeting with Cabinet members and with Congressional leaders on foreign policy issues (including the briefing after Kissinger’s July and October 1971 trips, and before and after the

Nixon’s February 1972 trip). The White House staff member, Patrick Buchanan, kept notes on Nixon’s talks with foreign leaders.

President’s Personal Files fPPF) include Nixon’s handwritten notes on a yellow pad taken to prepare for foreign trips and major speeches.

General Records of the Department of State, Record Group 59 (RG59)

Subject-Numeric Files (SNF) include Intelligence Note, Research Study, Memcon (Memorandum of Conversation), Telegram (incoming/outgoing), embassy cables Chinese officials’ public statements, Memoranda for the President, Secretary o f State, the Under Secretary, Kissinger, Weekly Reports on China, and media/newspapers analysis. The major issues in these documents includes the policy options on the opening to China from December 1968 to February 1972, the development o f Sino- Soviet mutual hostility from 1968 to 1972, and the preparation for the resumption of the Warsaw ambassadorial talks from late 1968 to mid 1970.

Winston Lord kept records while he was the director o f the Policy Planning Staff in the State Department from 1973 to 1977. Lord Files include the record o f Kissinger’s meetings with Chinese leaders from 1973 to 1977; the ‘Books’ prepared for Kissinger’s trips to China from 1973 to 1975; and the ‘Books’ prepared for Ford’s visit to China in December 1975.

Lot Files (LF) include documents maintained by the Assistant Secretary o f State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Marshall Green, and his office in the State Department. In particular, the collection covers such files as Background o f Sino-U.S.

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Relations; Lifting o f Trade and Travel Restrictions; Public correspondence from 1971 to 1972; Nixon’s visit to China in February 1972 (Background, Plans, and Meetings).

The Nixon White House Tapes (NWHT)

This collection, beginning in February 1971, covers Nixon’s conversations with his staff on major foreign policy developments, such as the Ping Pong diplomacy in April 1971; Nixon’s presidential announcement for his trip to China in July 1971; the briefing o f Kissinger’s secret trip to China to Congressional leaders; and the briefing o f Nixon’s China trip to Congressional leaders.50