Moscow radio domestic service shortly thereafter broadcast the news,
closely following TASS but omitting the sentence, "President Nixon accepted
the invitation with pleasure," which the wire service had reported from Peking.

No comment has been monitored.

Hanoi: No Mention

Hanoi has not yet mentioned the announcement.

East European Treatment

The announcement was the lead news item on Budapest radio this morning,
fleshed out subsequently by a correspondent's report from New York noting
that this new development "came as a complete surprise" and that Mr. Nixon
had "failed to say... what attitude he intended to adopt regarding Chinese re-
presentation in the U. N.," at which "one can merely guess" on the basis of
"earlier hints."

Prague and Warsaw radios gave the announcement bare-bones treatment.

East Berlin domestic service today reported the announcement, saying "the
U. S. President emphasized repeatedly that his journey would be made for the
sake of peace.

"The most important point in this respect, however, was not
mentioned by Nixon. The most decisive answer the peoples
expect from the U. S. still is the answer to the question: When
at long last will American troops be withdrawn from Vietnam
and Indochina as a whole? Unfortunately, this time again
Nixon did not give an answer to this question."

Belgrade: "Initiative Came From U. S."

A Belgrade Tanjug dispatch datelined Washington said today:

"President Nixon announced to the nation tonight [sic]
that he would visit Peking at the latest by May next
year. He has been invited by Premier Chou En-lai...

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"Knowing what a surprise and shock to the nation this announcement would be, the President made the greatest effort to present this revelation as convincingly and rationally as possible...

"It is not hard to conclude...that the initiative for this great move came from the American side and that it fell on favorable and perhaps previously prepared ground."

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... Western Europe, p. 2

... Asia, p. 11

... Communist Countries, p. 24

## Saturday Report

### PRESIDENT'S ACCEPTANCE OF INVITATION FROM PEKING - II

#### Summary

President Nixon's acceptance of an invitation to visit Communist China, announced too late on Thursday for mention in much of the world press, dominated front pages in many areas yesterday afternoon and today.

Television and radio sustained top interest in the announcement and, like the press, voluminously carried statements and interpretations by political figures and foreign affairs analysts. Most comment was highly positive in tone.

For example, Danish television last night rebroadcast Mr. Nixon's speech with a running translation, while Danish newspaper coverage was comparable in volume and enthusiasm only to that of the first moon landing.

Up to yesterday afternoon, comment was devoted with equal emphasis to judgments that Mr. Nixon had scored "an enormous plus" on the U.S. home front (see WTCI No. 95, July 16, 1971) and predictions of a greatly altered international scene.

By late yesterday and today, the bulk of comment was given to the latter aspect--expectations of great changes ahead in big-power relations, centering on chances for further rapprochement, detente, and eventual peace in Indo-China. These were typical views of major papers:

- "President Nixon's trip to Peking must be seen as an essential step in the search for a universal agreement to keep the peace in a nuclear age" (London Financial Times).

- "The consequences of Nixon's trip may be particularly felt in Europe, since the course of world politics will depend on Soviet reaction to U.S. - Chinese rapprochement" (Stuttgarter Zeitung).

- "Isn't it necessary and urgent now to go about building a political Europe able to hold its own at the level of the three big powers, so that our future is not decided without us?" (Aurore of Paris).

- "It offers the possibility of a break-out from the sterile bargaining over the Indochinese war and the prospect of a new Geneva conference, with China taking part" (Melbourne Age).

Monitoring of Moscow and Peking media indicated as of noon that neither capital had commented or reported further on President Nixon's acceptance of the invitation.

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LONDON

These were headlines yesterday afternoon and this morning:

"MR. NIXON'S SURPRISE CHINA VISIT SEEN AS OPENING WAY TO VIETNAM PEACE"
(Times)

"NIXON CHINA VISIT LIKELY THIS YEAR"
(Daily Telegraph)

"U.S. PRESIDENT OFF TO PEKING--THE DAY NIXON SHOOK THE WORLD"
(Evening Standard)

In an article entitled "China Comes In From the Cold," the left-oriented mass-circulation *Daily Mirror* wrote this morning:

"Suddenly one quarter of humanity wants to join the rest of us. This is the real meaning behind President Nixon's visit to Peking next year. It means that China will use her immense influence in Hanoi to enable America to get out of Vietnam on acceptable terms. It means America will finally drop her opposition to China's membership in the U.N."

The independent *Financial Times* wrote, "President Nixon's trip to Peking must be seen as an essential step in the search for a universal agreement to keep the peace in a nuclear age.... There is nothing Machiavellian in his proposed trip. This is a pacific quest."

The influential *Times* of London wondered "whether President Nixon was entirely wise to announce the news, as a diplomatic triumph in itself, while the date of the visit is not yet fixed and may remain unfixed for several months." It said that "the manner of the announcement and the loud welcome given to it in America certainly puts up Peking's stock before the talks begin.

"The Chinese leaders are bound to feel that their prestige is enhanced when the leader of the most powerful nation in the world--the leader of the nation which they have counted their most implacable enemy--says he will cross the world to see them....

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"The public announcement may have another unintended consequence. It will give an early warning to the Soviet Union which has feared... a rapprochement between Peking and Washington... The advance warning... gives Russian leaders time to make attempts to heal their own breach with Peking before the President's visit..."

"Certainly for the rest of the world the gains could be great..."

The paper's Moscow correspondent reported that the announcement "is something the Soviet Government has been apprehensive of for several years and its suddenness will turn the apprehension into controlled indignation."

The liberal *Guardian* wrote, "The Kremlin's heavy silence about President Nixon's announcement hides an anxiety that borders on real fear of what the future may bring... Deep in their hearts they are dead scared--and it will not be long before their actions towards the U.S., rather than towards China, begin to reflect something of their fear."

The paper's Bonn correspondent said it is thought there that Mr. Nixon might go to Moscow first "to assure the Russians personally that his wish to improve relations with China is not directed against them."

The conservative *Daily Telegraph*, a strong supporter of U.S. policies, commented:

"First reactions must be of unqualified welcome.... As Mr. Nixon pointed out... there can be no stable or enduring peace without the participation of China...."

"From Mr. Nixon's point of view, the announcement of the visit so far ahead has great political advantages quite apart from its deeper world strategic importance. It provides him with a break-out from the corner into which he was being increasingly hemmed over Vietnam."

"From now on, every move he makes over Vietnam will be given a relatively benevolent reception in the light of the pending Peking visit. If the visit comes later rather than sooner, it will be a splendid

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opening to next year's Presidential election cam-
paign. If he can end the Vietnam war and
simultaneously restore American relations with
China, the combination should prove electorally
unbeatable."

The paper suggested that the announcement "must be a cause for gloom and despondency in Moscow," which has aimed at keeping the U S. "involved in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to distract the Chinese."

The paper's Hong Kong correspondent stated, "China's present powerful momentum in world affairs has been accelerated immeasurably by the forthcoming visit of President Nixon.

"Peking has everything to gain and nothing at all to lose.... The Chinese undoubtedly consider that Mr. Nixon humbled himself and played into their hands in asking to go...."

"Mr. Nixon's assurance that Asian allies will not be abandoned will count for little. Anti-American violence may well result in South Vietnam, Formosa and South Korea."

## BONN

The story dominated West German media. On TV, the first network's Washington correspondent called the announcement "the greatest success of U.S. Asia policy since World War II," saying "the visit to China promises to be a great triumph for the President at home and abroad."

However, the correspondent continued, "The step toward Peking is also dangerous. The contacts with the USSR cannot be allowed to suffer." He concluded that "the end of the Vietnam war is finally in sight."

The second TV network's Washington correspondent asserted that the planned China visit "is not yet a great success for U.S. foreign policy...."

"Many contacts will still be necessary in order to make such a visit more than just a spectacular tea party. But for the moment President Nixon

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has gained time for the Paris Vietnam negotiations, with overwhelming approbation at home and abroad. The pressure as a result of the Viet Cong proposal is suspended for the moment..."

Newspaper headlines spoke of "hope for peace... shock in Asia... a diplomatic masterstroke by Nixon's adviser." Cologne's *Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger* asked: "Nixon to Go First to Moscow?"

Right-center *Frankfurter Allgemeine* wondered, "What will become of Taiwan and Saigon?" It judged that "a big peace gesture does not solve any of the numerous problems," but that "it will now be easier to tackle them..."

Hamburg's right-center *Die Welt* saw Washington-Peking rapprochement as "a long-term development which will not necessarily affect SALT, ratification of the Moscow agreement or other East-West questions immediately."

Independent *Stuttgarter Zeitung* wrote:

"The consequences of Nixon's trip may be particularly felt in Europe, since the course of world politics will depend on Soviet reaction to U. S. -Chinese rapprochement....

"Maybe the President is trying to exert pressure on his Soviet negotiating partner.... But maybe Nixon only seems to be giving the cold shoulder to the Soviets. Perhaps there is something in the rumors of a U. S. -Soviet summit meeting in Helsinki or Vienna..."

## WEST BERLIN

West Berlin dailies carried the text of the President's statement and chronologies of recent developments. These were headlines: "Announcement... Causes World-Wide Sensation" (*Tagesspiegel*) and "Nixon's Trip to Peking Is Welcomed in Nearly the Whole World--No Comment from Moscow" (*Berliner Morgenpost*).

The Washington correspondent of independent *Tagesspiegel* called the President's announcement "a bold and perhaps brilliant step to free himself and the U. S. from the trap of the war in Vietnam."

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In an editorial, the paper said that "Nixon's visit by May 1 not only affords a good opportunity to choose the best date with a view to the U. S. Presidential elections, but gives all parties involved time for a careful readjustment to the new situation.

"One thing is certain--the era of dualism of the superpowers is nearly at its end and will be replaced by a triangle in which Asia and Europe will have to find new places."

Independent *Berliner Morgenpost* thought the step "will add a lot to domestic detente in the U. S., and it will be difficult for the Democrats in the new election campaign to contest a man who actually pursues a policy and not only talks about it..."

## PARIS

The announcement topped front pages of all Paris dailies and led TV news broadcasts. Coverage was voluminous. Both state-run TV networks were in general agreement that a new era in world affairs had begun, that the U. S. has taken a realistic step, and that many openings are now possible to settlement of major issues such as nuclear arms and the Indochina war.

Moderately conservative *Figaro* ran a front-page article today by former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Couve de Murville, who praised Mr. Nixon's "courage in choosing a path none of his predecessors dared." He said Washington has now taken a new direction, which neither surprises the French nor clashes with French policy, and from which settlements of the Vietnam war and the Formosa problem may emerge.

Independent-left *Combat* observed that "the sudden announcement... is one of those fundamental events which open... new epochs.... For a quarter-century, the U. S. and China appeared to be implacable enemies.... These two have waged until now one of the most intense 'moral' wars the world has ever known, each of them strong, with client states around the globe. This clientele was mobilized for years by extraordinary propaganda methods carried out in the most insane hatred. Yet, here they are today, extending hands to one another."

The paper suggested that "in the end, world peace will benefit from it... but there is another fact... and one must see it without too great bitterness...."

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"This is that the rest of the world--big, little, and
middle-sized nations... looks on helplessly as two
nations which yesterday were tearing each other
apart now bestow the kiss of peace....

"China and the U.S. are going to manage their
interests in the framework of another sort of bi-
lateral Yalta. This is what should be avoided,
what France has tried to avoid..."

Moderate-right and pro-NATO Aurore sounded a note of concern that U.S.
willingness to enter a rapprochement with Peking may weaken and endanger
alliances that tie the U.S. to "so many other peoples threatened by Com-
munist expansion." It continued:

"The great change... should prompt Europeans to
get hold of themselves. Isn't it necessary and
urgent now to go about building a political Europe
able to hold its own at the level of the three big
powers, so that our future is not decided without us?"

Elite Le Monde of Paris, as France's "newspaper of record," yesterday gave nearly three pages to a recounting of the events preceding the decision to go to Peking.

The paper's editorial called the acceptance of the Peking invitation "one
of the greatest reshufflings of the cards the postwar world has known....
The strategy of the great powers is so profoundly affected by the admission
of a new partner that some time will be needed to define it anew."

Assuming that Mr. Nixon's proposed visit would be "just weeks from the
primary elections, assuring him, by a dazzling 'peace gesture,' good
chances of being re-elected," the paper declared that "the stakes are
worth the sacrifice of his old ally on Formosa..."

The paper's foreign editor, Soviet analyst Michel Tatu, asserted that "the
new relationship which is in the works between Peking and Washington up-
sets the theory of a bi-polarized world as shaped at Yalta in 1945, and the
establishment of a Soviet-American 'condominium.' Why should there be
a triangle today, instead of a square including Japan, or a pentagon including,
Western Europe..."

The paper's Washington correspondent cited "cynics," including, he said,
some State Department officials, as saying that "what President

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Nixon is seeking after all is to force the Taiwan regime to take the ini-
tiative toward a break. Thus the question of a U. N. seat and eventual
U. S. recognition for Peking could be settled without any wrenching de-
cisions for the U. S. in regard to Taiwan."

The correspondent observed that although "it is too early to know" what
Mr. Kissinger discussed in Peking, "one may wonder if the President's
trip will not weaken Hanoi's position and that of the PRG." In any case,
he concluded, Mr. Nixon had "bought some time" in which he undoubtedly
hoped to strengthen Thieu and associate Peking in a regional settlement.

THE HAGUE

The Dutch press, TV and radio gave extensive and highly favorable coverage
to the announcement. Thus, Rotterdam's _Algemeen Dagblad_ headlined,
"Nixon Has the Whole World With Him."

Independent-liberal _NRC Handelsblad_, published in Amsterdam and Rotterdam,
commented:

"In the triangle relationship which is beginning to form among the three giants, one of the parties will always be inclined to feel itself threatened when the other two make approaches to each other. The relaxation of tension between the U. S. and China, therefore, will not necessarily lead to a general relaxation in world tension.

"But the world will always have its tensions. What is important is to channel them, and that can be done only when there is normal contact between the powers."

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ROME

Italian media of all political persuasions enthusiastically greeted the announcement as a major step toward world peace. State-owned TV devoted half of its newscast last night to the story, calling it a "historic moment" that had elicited "positive reaction all over the world." A New York correspondent presented reactions of prominent Americans, all favorable.

Prestigious independent *Corriere della Sera* of Milan proclaimed "the world at a turning point," while Rome's conservative *Messaggero* hailed the announcement as "a contribution to world peace." Communist L'Unita of Rome considered it "an announcement of great importance that confirms the need for peaceful coexistence among countries with different social systems."

STOCKHOLM

The announcement was the top story in all Swedish media yesterday afternoon and this morning. News stories were uniformly positive but cautious in tone. Papers bannered the story and carried the full text of the statement.

The main evening TV news broadcast yesterday devoted 18 of 30 minutes to the story. After reviewing the history of U.S.-China relations since 1945, commentators foresaw an expanded role for Japan in Asian affairs, problems ahead for Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines, and brighter prospects for peace in Vietnam.

Conservative *Svenska Dagbladet* called the announcement "the most eloquent testimony so far that the era of U.S.-Soviet domination of world events will soon be over."

Liberal *Dagens Nyheter* concluded:

> "To bring China, after all these years, into negotiations over Indochina and to be able to resolve, at last, the question of China's seat in the U.N. -- these would seem to be the two most important goals for the newly-awakened hopes."

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## COPENHAGEN

Danish television rebroadcast and translated the President's announcement in full last night. In volume and enthusiasm, newspaper coverage was comparable only to the first moon landing. All leading papers carried analyses by political figures. Some papers saw a "new world" emerging in the wake of Mr. Nixon's announcement.

Conservative Berlingske Tidende headlined, "Nixon Will Search for Peace in Peking. Trip Will Change World." Its editorial, titled "Summit Meeting in Peking," said U.S. diplomacy will enjoy a double triumph if it succeeds in reaching an agreement with the Soviet Union before the end of this year, while also achieving a "dramatic rapprochement" with Peking.

Liberal Politiken said, "The laconic announcement of President Nixon's trip outlines a new great-power picture of the world.... For Europe this may mean a lessening of tension which few believed possible a few years ago."

Conservative B. T. remarked, "America's China complex and China's fear of America have led to the loss of many lives. This blackboard is not cleaned overnight, but the future may be less bleak than before."

The state radio's Washington correspondent reported "the greatest announcement the President has ever made," seeing it as an indication that the U.S. would approve Peking's entry into the U.N. "before the end of this year."

## VIENNA

Editorial reaction to the announcement was overwhelmingly positive. Independent, mass-circulation Kurier ran the view of TV commentator and journalist Hugo Portisch that "hardly anything more sensational has occurred in world politics in recent years." He continued: "It can be assumed that Henry Kissinger has negotiated more than just a state visit to Peking.... In his talks with Chou En-lai there must already have taken place an exchange about the ways and dates for ending the Vietnam war. And probably even more...."

"Moscow probably will be hurt to see an internationally consolidated China, which has still not renounced its heretical claim to being a second center of leadership in the Communist camp. And yet one must assume that now Moscow, too, will adjust to the new situation and try to profit from the general mood of compromise by peace efforts of its own rather than by opposition."

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TOKYO

Leading Tokyo TV networks ran special programs to welcome and
explain the Nixon decision.

Public-financed NHK-TV said Mr. Sato had called the announcement
"unexpected" but had stated that he "intends to watch the situation calmly."
The network said the Government welcomed President Nixon's decision,
but it noted that leaders were "concerned over the possibility of Japan's
becoming isolated on the China problem because of rapid changes in the
international situation favoring the Peking Government."

Media covered Prime Minister Sato's policy speech at today's opening of a special session of the Japanese Diet in which he formally welcomed Mr. Nixon's decision. He said Japan "strongly hopes" for government-level talks with mainland China, but indicated that there was no basic change in Japan's "cautious approach" towards Communist China.

Tokyo papers carried extensive coverage and comment.

Leading independent-liberal Asahi today saw "immeasurable historical
significance" in the move, and declared:

"We...wish to pay our respects to the leaders of both countries...."

"The reason why Chairman Mao Tse-tung has welcomed a visit by President Nixon...is because Communist China believes there is a limit to what private contacts can do to solve the Taiwan problem and the normalization of Sino-American relations. Discussions on the government level are necessary to solve such problems."

Independent moderate Mainichi foresaw a "profound effect...on the
international situation as a whole....."

"Having weathered the cultural revolution, China is faced with the need to talk with American leaders in order to enter the international political arena of the 1970s.... Peking will hope to have a voice in the Asian vacuum after U.S. forces have pulled out of Vietnam....."

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"Japan has far more complicated relations with China, which makes it more difficult for us to normalize relations. Yet we cannot just sit and wait. What is called for is a positive move to improve our relations with China, while retaining our basic principles."

Independent-moderate Yomiuri saw in "the latest move by the two big powers on both sides of the Pacific... a swing in international politics to a tri-polar structure made up of the U.S., the Soviet Union and China." It added:

"The Sato Government and its Liberal-Democratic party are now faced with their day of decision on the China question.... They should get rid of the 'cold war' mentality and look squarely at the realities."

Moderate Tokyo Shimbun declared that "whatever the purpose or political design," President Nixon had made "the decision of the century." It urged the Japanese Government to "reflect deeply upon its inflexible policy towards Communist China."

## KUALA LUMPUR

The influential independent Straits Times of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore declared:

"The ping pong is over. A new and fateful enterprise begins. The possibilities now are infinite; the need for restraint and caution in estimating them equally clear....

"A tremendous opportunity is in the offing. There has been no greater opportunity for twenty years. But achievement rests on an arduous journey...

"The attempt could be embarrassing, unquestionably for Washington and possibly even for Peking. Mr. Nixon's Administration will face exquisite ordeal at the hands of friend as well as foe, deprived as the President has been, by recent legal proceedings, of the secrecy which should protect official information."

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TAIPEI

Taipei international radio today reported that the National Assembly had issued a statement "urging U.S. President Nixon to cancel his announced trip to the Chinese mainland." The statement called Mr. Nixon's move "a betrayal" of U.S. allies and continued:

"We are indignant that as the leader of the free world President Nixon should have tried to appease the aggressor by sacrificing moral principle."

Earlier, the radio ran a statement by Premier C. K. Yen, in which he said:

"We have a thorough understanding of the ambitions, intrigues and deceits of the Chinese Communists....We regret to see a friendly nation deceived....

"The increasing anti-Mao and anti-Communist struggle of the people on the mainland has compelled ... the Chinese Communists...to seek diplomatic means...against the U.S. and has led them to adopt a smiling offensive....

"We have the faith and determination to recover the Chinese mainland and to resist any external adverse tide.... We shall never yield."

The domestic radio quoted Foreign Minister Chou Shu-Kai, leaving the ASPAC meeting in Manila for "urgent discussions" in Taipei, as declaring:

"We must remain calm.... The head of an allied government intends to visit a rebel regime. This we cannot accept."

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MANILA

Manila media gave the story heavy coverage and reported that Asian leaders assembled for the ASPAC conference in Manila had "expressed shock and surprise over the sudden Nixon statement."

Papers ran a government statement welcoming "a diplomatic break-
through that offers decisive implications for international cooperation
and world peace beyond this decade."

The *Philippines Herald* of Manila said the "implications...depend on the outcome of the visit and on the subsequent conduct of Red China itself." But it noted:

"Peking has... appreciably relaxed its hard line on the Vietnam war with a proposal favoring Chinese participation in a revived Geneva-type conference on Indochina, a proposal which the U.S. inferentially accepted when President Nixon, no less, said 'there can be no stable and enduring peace...without the participation of the People's Republic of China and its 750 million people.'"

In the leading Manila *Times* a columnist maintained that "the unilateral
Nixon announcement has exposed, once again, the perils of dealing too
closely with the U.S....."

"In a way, the unexpected diplomatic turnabout of the Americans...may be a blessing in disguise. For the so-called 'allies' and client nations of the U.S. will at long last be compelled to face the hard facts of life. American decisions are made on the basis of what is good for America -- and nothing else."

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MELBOURNE

The independent-conservative Melbourne *Age* titled its editorial "The Withering Bamboo," which it said had now begun to crack, "with a bang all over the world.

"President Nixon... has dropped the Dulles policy... into the incinerator.... Ping-pong politics has been elevated to the status of a realistic dialogue between the most powerful nation in the world and the most populous.

"What is more, it offers the possibility of a break-out from the sterile bargaining over the Indochinese war and the prospect of a new Geneva conference, with China taking part."

The prestigious *Sydney Morning Herald* said Mr. Nixon's visit was "a consequence of the Nixon Doctrine and the decision to withdraw from Vietnam..."

"But it also has, potentially, unique symbolic significance. If Mr. Nixon's talks in Peking do indeed produce, eventually, a normalization of relations... then his journey will mark a major turning point in the history of the second half of this century of war and fear."

"The implications for the world, and especially for Asia and the Pacific, are enormous. They will compel adjustments in thinking in almost every capital, and not least in Canberra."

The independent influential *Canberra Times* noted "the frantic pace at which China's relations with the rest of the world are developing," and considered it "puzzling... that the U.S. should have chosen to go all-out instead of making overtures in a lower key."

In another editorial the paper discussed the domestic political scene resulting from the visit to Peking by opposition leader Whitlam. It concluded:

"The Nixon gesture has mightily embarrassed the Government."

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The independent *Australian* of Canberra said "President Nixon's announcement... must show how inept the Prime Minister's recent remarks have been about the China question and the visit to Peking of the Labor Party delegation."

## NEW ZEALAND

Media played statements by Prime Minister Holyoake calling it "heartening that after so many years of estrangement, contact... should be re-established," and by Opposition Leader Kirk terming the proposed visit "a welcome initiative... an example that every country could follow."

The *Christchurch Press* editorialized:

> "Whether smaller countries like the idea or not, better relations between the U.S. and China are vital to world peace. The secret talks last week ... bring fresh hope to a world that has long been weary of international distrust and hostility."

The *Dominion* of Wellington said that "Mr. Nixon's courageous, if risky, initiative... should mark a decisive turning point in international relations.... The very fact that President Nixon and Chairman Mao have agreed to meet presupposes that they see some prospect of agreement."

The paper thought it "reasonable to look for progress in three distinct and important areas" -- Indochina, international disarmament negotiations, and diplomatic recognition. Of the last topic the paper said:

> "The art here will be to devise a formula which provides for Taiwan.... Peking's recent hints that the question might be negotiable should ease the task."

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TEL AVIV

President Nixon's plan to visit Peking "considerably enhances his prospects of re-election," Tel Aviv's independent Yediot Aharonot said Friday afternoon. The article declared that although the visit "is bound to give the Soviets cause for concern, it is not unlikely that the Kremlin leaders will find themselves welcoming the new rapprochement."

Stating that the consequences for the Middle East were difficult to predict, the paper suggested that "the Soviets may accelerate their efforts to consolidate their positions in this area before the Sino-American rapprochement brings any practical results.

"Alternatively, the Soviets may try to reach a settlement with the U.S. which will give the Americans a free hand in settling their affairs in the Far East.

"Success of the new Nixon policy in Asia may relieve pressure on the Administration to achieve speedier success in the Middle East. It is quite certain that when Sisco flies to Israel, and most likely to Cairo, he will be representing an Administration which enjoys greater influence and prestige in the international arena."

In its weekly "Newsreel", Israel's Armed Forces Radio interviewed Foreign Minister Abba Eban, who said of President Nixon's plan to visit Peking:

"This is an international development of the greatest importance...for promoting peace. It has been proved that there is no serious possibility of relaxing international tensions without direct contact between leaders and governments. The world clearly sees that problems are not solved by severing relations. Sooner or later this logic must prevail in our area. ....Here is the only tension in the world where there is no contact or chance of contact in the near future between those involved."

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CAIRO

Cairo domestic radio said, "The visit to Peking is a tactical move to place the U.S. in a bargaining position with the Soviet Union." The commentator said other advantages would be "to rescue the U.S.'s collapsing position in Southeast Asia" and "to counter the atmosphere created by the publication of the secret documents on the Vietnam war." He concluded:

"What is strange is that by accepting the invitation to visit Peking, President Nixon is admitting America's mistakes of the past 30 years..."

"The question now is: When will Nixon realize the mistakes of U.S. policy and admit that there cannot be a permanent and stable peace without taking into consideration 100 million Arabs?"

Cairo's Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported today to the Arab world that Cairo newspapers had headlined the announcement of President Nixon's visit to Peking, calling it a "surprise to the world and an important development in the world balance of power."

The agency reported that semi-official al-Gumhuriya commented today that the Vietnam situation and Mr. Nixon's reelection were among the major considerations for the decision to accept the invitation.

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TUNIS

L'Action, organ of the ruling Destourian Socialist Party in headlines
today called the acceptance of the invitation "the greatest event since
1945."

The paper said President Nixon "shows an extraordinary realism,
great wisdom and remarkable clearsightedness," and hoped that a
"new era of intelligence and good sense" would hasten the end of the war
in Southeast Asia and "create the basis for a period of peace and
development" there. The editorial concluded:

"It will be necessary that the small nations
be permitted to assert their rights and interests,
now that the larger nations are normalizing their
relations."

Tunis' La Presse today called acceptance of the invitation "proof of great political courage."

"The new attitude of President Nixon surely
reveals his electoral preoccupations, but no
less a sincere desire to get the nation out of
the hangover of the cold war and out of the quagmire
of Vietnam. It was truly about time."

AMMAN

Today's ad-Dustour of Amman said the President's intended visit to Peking "confirms that nothing is impossible in international politics, which change and take on new outlines according to the basic rule of self-interest...

"Whatever may be the aim of Nixon's initiative
-- get out of Vietnam, a shrewd beginning of
next year's Presidential campaign or a studied
move to deepen rivalry between Peking and
Moscow -- it all comes back to self-interest.

"On the other hand, if Peking's interests were
not served, it would not have decided to receive
Nixon, who is President of a nation it considered the
pinnacle of imperialism and the number one peoples'
enemy."

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## BEIRUT

Independent al-Jarida today called the announcement "a basic change in American policy... a diplomatic coup... reversing measures which have been in practice for a long time.

"Getting China into the international community is much better than leaving it outside."

Conservative al-Hayat called President Nixon "a consummate politician who is seeking peace with China. In this he serves the world's aspirations... for international peace."

Leftist, pro-UAR al-Anwar said that the "international community cannot but welcome this move which will eventually lead to an easing of tensions and put an end to the danger of leaving a nation of 750 million people outside the U. N."

## TEHRAN

The Tehran Journal declared that "for an American President to have accepted without any pretensions whatever an invitation to travel to the Chinese capital is indication enough that the Chinese are now being looked upon as a nation to be dealt with on an equal footing with the U. S. and not as barbarians to be shunned."

The writer held that the visit "is likely to solve a lot of problems," noting Sino-U. S. diplomatic relations, China's entry into the U. N. Security Council and an improvement in the "authority of the U. N." It concluded:

"However, ... it still takes two hands to clap, and if the leaders in Peking had not been disposed to a detente with their erstwhile 'enemy number one,' much of Nixon's efforts would have had no effect."

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KARACHI

Karachi newspapers devoted most of their front pages to news and interpretive reports of the planned visit to Peking. Pakistan's intermediary role in facilitating Dr. Kissinger's trip was highlighted.

Today's independent Dawn concluded its editorial with the comment:

> "Pakistan.... as the well-wisher and friend of both countries... is naturally pleased at the encouraging prospects and possibilities that seem to be unfolding. President Nixon and Premier Chou En-lai equally deserve to be complimented at the courageous step they have decided to take which promises to usher in a friction-free phase for the future of mankind. We earnestly hope, as does the U. S. Chief Executive, that the passage to Peking proves to be a journey for peace."

The Morning News declared that "mankind will hope and pray for the success of Mr. Nixon's China visit, whose one immensely beneficial outcome should be an end to the... open-ended and bottomless war in Vietnam...."

> "For Pakistan, Mr. Nixon's acceptance of the Chinese invitation is a matter of great pleasure and satisfaction.... This country has been consistently bending all of its energies toward a detente between China and the Western world, especially the U. S."

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NEW DELHI

Today's independent *Times of India* said the "breakthrough in the search for normal relations" represented by President Nixon's acceptance of the invitation to visit Peking "however dramatic... was not a sudden or altogether unexpected development." The "key" factor, the paper said, is the two nations' "common apprehension of the growing military power of the Soviet Union whom each... regards as its principal adversary."

The left-center *Free Press Journal* of Bombay wrote that "President Nixon had openly declared how troubled he was over the expansion of Soviet influence in the Mediterranean and the feared expansion of it into the Indian Ocean. It would seem to be one of the objects of Washington's new policy to neutralize this real or imagined Soviet influence in Asia by recognizing China's 'legitimate interests' in Asia....

"This need not, however, be attempted at the cost of new tensions between the U.S. and the USSR. The American intention obviously is not so much to hand over Asia to China from the feared stranglehold of the Soviet Union as to safeguard American interests in the area.

"What Washington is hoping, therefore, is to strike a deal with China, while at the same time seeking to reduce the area of conflict with the Soviet Union in order to retain the balance of influence in its own hands. Peking is not unaware of this, but it suits Peking now to play the game primarily to advance its own interests, and secondly, to checkmate the Soviet Union. It will not be surprising if eventually Moscow reacts to this by leaning closer to Washington or Peking, however difficult the latter posture may appear at present. Thus, an entirely new pattern of world power relationships is opening up..."

Bombay's *Financial Express*, in an editorial today, wrote:

"If there is a rapprochement between Washington and Peking, however limited its nature and scope may be, it will have served one great purpose -- that of rendering much of the ideological postures of Communists of

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every hue utterly meaningless and irrelevant
to the problems of the last decades of the
Twentieth Century. If Communist China, which
has hitherto posed as the relentless and
uncompromising enemy of 'American imperialism',
comes to terms with a U. S. led by a Republican
President, the deluded Maoists in many countries
will have to throw away their little red books and
start reading the American Constitution."

Bengali-language **Jugantar** of Calcutta, reflecting on possible consequences of a Sino-U.S. rapprochement on U.S. alliances in Southeast Asia, stated:

"During the 22 years of its anti-Peking policy,
America made friends with many countries and
formed the SEATO bloc. This helped countries like
Formosa, South Vietnam and Thailand to maintain
their existence. If China is raised to the status of a
peace-lover in East Asia, then on what basis will
these states remain unified?

"If Viet Nam passes out of America's hands, it
remains to be seen how the anti-Communist defense
line will be drawn."

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## MOSCOW, PEKING

As of noon, monitoring of Moscow and Peking media indicated that neither capital had commented nor reported further on President Nixon's acceptance of the invitation to visit Peking.

## EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Warsaw radio in its international English service today cited two Polish newspapers' comments on the planned visit to Peking. It quoted Kurier Polski as saying today that "the normalization of relations between the two superpowers... cannot be termed disadvantageous... the less tension and the more business discussion, the better for all of us."

Express Wieczorny reportedly said that all consequences of the President's acceptance of the invitation to Peking could not be foreseen, but that "Peking's shocking turnabout" in offering the invitation was not a surprise. It added:

> "This turnabout is an expression of the tactical game which hides strategic objectives..."

Radio Budapest's international service in English today reported that Magyar Nemzet had called the event "a political sensation of the first order...."

> "The turn of Chinese-American relations...is evidence of the basic truth of our times, namely, that the principle of peaceful coexistence necessarily has momentum...and that imperialism is no longer able to shape events solely according to its aims..."

> "International public opinion expects Washington and Peking to make advances not only in improving their bilateral relations, but to shift to a policy which makes possible enduring peaceful cooperation with the Soviet Union and with all other countries of the world."

Radio Sofia's English-language service reported today that all Sofia newspapers carried an article by the national news agency which emphasized the "rapid change" that had taken place in the "atmosphere of irreconcilability" that had existed between the U. S. and China for over 20 years. The article spoke of "the purposeful, anti-Communist policy of the U. S., the basic content of which, just as that of the whole policy of imperialism in general, is the aggressiveness against the socialist community and above all against its vanguard detachment, the Soviet Union." It added:

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"... The policy of the Chinese leaders of unbridled anti-Soviet propaganda and dissent in the international Communist and workers' movement is to weaken the anti-imperialist front....

"Set against the background of the American policy and the Chinese leaders' effort to split the anti-imperialist powers, the American-Chinese communique explicitly and vividly demonstrates who is the one that joins in secret collusion... with imperialism in the name of unworthy political aims."

## YUGOSLAVIA

In Yugoslavia, Zagreb's Serbo-Croatian service yesterday cited a correspondent's report from Moscow saying that President Nixon's acceptance of the Chinese invitation "is one of the worst failures of Soviet diplomacy," which was "constantly afraid" of such a step. He predicted that when the Soviet official position is announced, the Chinese will be castigated for "betraying socialism." He concluded his report with the reflection that a Sino-U.S. rapprochement could be considered to be detrimental to the Soviet Union, but asked "Why should this be so?"

"In the course of time, the camp, too, will begin to wonder whether it would not be wise and justified to talk to the Chinese in the same manner as Rumania, a member of the camp. The same surely will happen in Peking as well."

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... Western Europe, p. 2

... East Asia and Pacific, p. 13

... South Asia, Near East, p. 16

... Communist Countries, p. 19

PRESIDENT'S ACCEPTANCE OF INVITATION TO PEKING - III

Summary

Four days after President Nixon's announcement that he had accepted an invitation to go to Communist China, speculation about the significance of the move still held top position in foreign media interest around the world.

Comment has been overwhelmingly favorable, terming President Nixon "a statesman of considerable stature" (London *Observer*) and crediting him with "spectacular initiative" (Corriere della Sera, Milan).

Most observers were strongly hopeful that the proposed trip would promote East-West understanding and hasten the end of the Vietnam war.

Concerns of Asian nations about an altered world balance came to the fore in many areas:

- "Britain's *Yorkshire Post* noted that "some of Washington's allies--South Vietnam, South Korea, and Formosa--will be on the lookout for any signs of a Far Eastern Munich."

- "Munich's *Sueddeutsche Zeitung* remarked that "Asia's reaction lacks the enthusiastic overtones of the West.... Life may become harder for several Asian nations."

- "Japan's NHK reported "an air of uneasiness" in Tokyo.

- "Seoul's *Joongang Ilbo* declared that "the immediate task the U.S. faces is to take effective measures to dispel this anxiety and uneasiness among Asian nations."

- "Manila's *Daily Mirror* held that the allies, "particularly Taipei... no longer have to entertain doubts regarding the real U.S. policy... America is for America..."

Peking media have given no further treatment to the announcement; meanwhile they have sustained routine anti-U.S. propaganda. Hanoi media have so far not mentioned the announcement. However, a *Nhan Dan* editorial today accused Mr. Nixon of "trying to achieve a compromise between the big powers in an attempt to make the smaller countries bow to their arrangements..."

Moscow media continued to treat the subject minimally and gingerly, initiating no direct comment.

* * *

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London: Excitement, Enthusiasm

British television and radio networks devoted the bulk of their news broadcasts over the weekend to the China visit. It remained a top story in this morning's national newspapers.

The excitement and enthusiasm evoked by the proposed trip were perhaps best summed up by Lord Canadon, who was quoted on TV and radio as saying:

> "I can't remember in my lifetime anything which was more important, more encouraging, more exciting than what was announced this morning. I believe this is a turning point in world history of tremendous consequence."

Today's liberal Guardian led its overseas news page with a story from its Washington correspondent headed, "Russia to be Given Reasons for Peking Trip." The Daily Telegraph's front-page story was headed, "Nixon Trip to Russia Urged" and the Financial Times wrote, "Nixon Set to Clarify China Policy." Stories were based on the meeting Mr. Nixon was to have today with Congressional leaders to discuss the implications of his visit.

"A Whole New Ball Game?"

The conservative, mass-circulation London Daily Mail judged today that Mr. Nixon's trip "could trigger off the most sustained power quake the world has felt since the iron and bamboo curtains slid down after 1945." It added:

> "Yes sir, the day an American President brings the Red Dragon in from the cold is the day the big powers of the world are going to have to learn--for better or worse--to play a whole new ball game."

"President Emerges as Statesman of Stature"

London Sunday papers warmly praised the President's decision to visit Peking. The independent Observer, in one of several articles on the announcement, stated:

> "President Nixon, in a single move, attacked only by the extreme right-wing fringe, has suddenly emerged as a statesman of considerable stature and a man of the center. He has wiped out memories of his earlier rabid anti-Communism and his witch hunt for those Truman Democrats responsible for 'losing China'....

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"He has put the Democratic doves in an awkward defensive position and appeared this weekend to be well on the way to fulfilling his promise to 'pull the rug from under' his anti-war critics."

The paper asserted in another commentary that "China's new policy and America's bold response open up the prospect of a world-wide peace settlement for the first time since the Second World War."

"Mr. Nixon's talks in Peking should be a step towards a wider summit meeting or series of meetings. There the results of recent wars in Europe, Asia and the Middle East could be definitely dealt with and arrangements discussed to prevent or limit the wars of the future wherever they may break out. If the world can now be set on this course, the beneficial opportunities opened up will be enormous."

In a front-page article entitled "Nixon: Next Stop Hanoi?" the paper reported:

"President Nixon has offered to have direct talks with the North Vietnam leaders to speed up a settlement of the Vietnam war and, if the offer is accepted, he may visit Hanoi after his stay in Peking, according to well-informed Romanian sources."

"U.S. Can Once Again Take Pride in Noble Purpose"

The conservative Sunday Telegraph asserted, "President Nixon's success in persuading the Chinese to invite him to Peking should do something to restore the American people's faith in their Government's capacity for constructive action...."

"America's diplomatic energies can turn to the...inspiring task of restoring the world's largest nation to the brotherhood of man. It is impossible to exaggerate the potentially beneficial effect of this change of emphasis on American morale."

"Instead of being ashamed of her role in the world and committed to an objective that increasingly shocks Western opinion, she can once again take pride in pursuing an obviously noble purpose that will enjoy universal approbation...."

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"Mr. Nixon will be going to Peking as an emissary of hope on a journey of reconciliation. In terms of the American mood this could prove a God-given reprieve. There is no honorable way out of the Vietnam impasse. A withdrawal on humiliating terms has now become inevitable. Vietnam, in short, is lost....

"Mr. Nixon has brought about a development that will catch at the heart-strings of the American people, revive happy memories, restore ancient hopes, and above all drive out the nightmare of Vietnam lost, with at least the dream of China regained."

"Most Hopeful Event in Years"

The independent Sunday Times commented:

"It has been the President's luck to have been in the White House during the ping-pong, or unfreezing stage of Chinese diplomacy. But as well as luck, his vision and determination have enabled him to develop that stage into something far more promising and significant.

"If his mission to Peking goes well, Mr. Nixon will gain immense electoral advantage. This does not alter the fact that the mission with all its possible consequences will be the most hopeful international event for many years."

"Among those consequences could be an end of the Vietnam war, the admission of China to the U.N., and a new great-power relationship in which Moscow may find it politic to seek a double detente with Washington and Peking."

The paper declared that despite such "thorny" problems as the question of Taiwan, "the important fact today is that the largest power on earth is at last emerging from its traditional isolation."

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"Communist Aims Have Not Changed"

The conservative *Yorkshire Post* of Leeds on Saturday called the China visit "nothing short of spectacular and momentous," but said "some of Washington's allies--South Vietnam, South Korea, and Formosa--will be on the lookout for any signs of a Far Eastern Munich.

"It is not difficult to imagine the kind of domestic and free world pressures that could be put on Mr. Nixon to keep Peking sweet at almost any price. One has seen this kind of thing in Moscow-Washington relations.

"It must not be forgotten that Communist China's fundamental aims have not changed, and that the Chinese and the Russians might one day be allied again in aggression and subversion."

West Germany: Still the Top Story

President Nixon's proposed visit to Peking topped all media in West Germany over the weekend.

The first TV network's weekly newsreel program yesterday ran a correspondent's report from Saigon saying the announcement of the Peking visit "made the future of the SVN Government even more uncertain than before."

A Washington correspondent reported on the first TV network that the U.S. desire to reduce its engagement in Asia "can only be achieved if relations with the PRC are clarified."

"Nixon has changed from a determined opponent to a President who seeks an agreement with Mao. The other motif is the antagonism between China and the USSR, which is considered in Washington to be a permanent fact of world politics. The former system of two world powers will slowly change into a triangular pattern in which the U.S. can seek an agreement from time to time with one or the other Communist side."

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Newspapers today and over the weekend gave top play to the story, front-paging correspondents' reports from Washington and from Taipei and other Asian capitals.

## "Courageous But Risky"

Right-center Handelsblatt of Duesseldorf today said that "the Peking-Washington rapprochement will cast a shadow over the U.S.-Japanese relationship; prompt anxiety, even panic, in the Soviet Union, and may delay Nixon's negotiations with the Soviets, who will now be tougher to bargain with.

"Nixon's China policy reflects courage; but we must not underestimate the risks involved. The period of peace Nixon seeks may be preceded by a period of unrest."

A commentator in right-center Frankfurter Allgemeine, expecting the visit to take place at the start of the U.S. Presidential campaign, judged that "the Chinese Communists will want to help Nixon.

"Peking is aware that Nixon is more open-minded on China than a more Atlantic-oriented president and is anxious to see him continue in office."

## "Challenging, Rewarding"

Nationally-circulated right-center Die Welt published a Washington correspondent's report asserting that Peking was motivated to "seek the neutralization of Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam in order to continue its influence."

"Nixon and Kissinger must be credited with realizing this. Twenty-five years of distrust and cold war now must be overcome. But never before has U.S. foreign policy been confronted with a more challenging and rewarding task."

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# "A Three-Power World"

A commentator, in the paper, speculating on the motivation for "Peking's haste in making this momentous about-face," concluded that "no other reason is conceivable than mounting concern about Soviet policy....

"In a three-power world, each power will try to prevent a coalition of the other two against itself.... This could compel the Kremlin to brake its expansionist efforts...and to seek an arrangement in Asia, particularly with China, and in Europe, particularly with the U.S. and the West Europeans. It is also doubtful if Moscow will be able to continue its present tactics in its East European empire....

"The world hopes that the Kremlin will decide in favor of peaceful coexistence."

# "A Great Turning Point for Asia"

A correspondent in Singapore for Munich's independent *Sueddeutsche Zeitung* wrote today that the "impact of President Nixon's visit is comparable only to that of other great turning points in Asia's recent history--Pearl Harbor, the Korean War, Dien Bien Phu, the first Chinese A-bomb....

"Even before the President starts his trip, the Asia policy that the U.S. has pursued for almost a quarter of a century has been abandoned.... Sacred tenets, like the domino theory, are discarded....

"...Asia, too, considers this visit a momentous event, but Asia's reaction lacks the enthusiastic overtones of the West.... Life may become harder for several Asian nations. America, which has paid generously for its readiness to help encircle China, is withdrawing from that business...

"But fears of being sacrificed to the Washington-Peking reconciliation are also rampant in the other camp. Mme Binh's assurance that it was inconceivable that China would leave North Vietnam and the NLF in the lurch had an overtone of desperate entreaty. Mme Binh and the men in Hanoi are aware that they were sacrificed once before--at the Geneva Conference of 1954."

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## Paris TV: Extensive Play

The President's trip remained a top story in French media over the weekend and today. Both state-run TV networks gave it broad treatment, including reports from Washington, Moscow and other capitals, shots of the televised announcement itself, photo montages showing Mao and the President together as a picture of the future, interviews and comment.

Comment on the whole was highly favorable, underlining what observers saw as America's "final realization" of China's central importance in the world, the major problems that must be resolved, and the necessity of a wait-and-see attitude.

Commercial Europe One radio reported this morning that Mr. Nixon's trip to Peking would take place around Christmas.

### "Will Lead to Profound Change in Asia"

Elite Le Monde of Paris on Saturday carried dispatches from by-line writers in Peking and Moscow on possible effects of the President's visit.

Robert Guillain, writing from Peking, traced developments leading to Mr. Nixon's announcement, which he said was "an event long in ripening." He continued:

"Seen from here, what will follow will take time. Mr. Nixon has no magic wand, and a long journey awaits him, say diplomatic circles here, if he wants a true detente.

"The new and important fact is that here he is--and the Chinese leaders with him--engaged in a process which will tend in the long run toward normalization of their ties and thus to a profound change in the balance in Asia."

### "U.S.-Soviet Favorable Trend in Danger"

Correspondent Alain Jacob wrote from Moscow that "the silence for the moment here is chiefly revealing of Moscow's surprise at an event which is perhaps not in total contradiction with Soviet long-term forecasts, but which was not expected so soon."

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"What one must call Sino-American rapprochement interests the Russians from two angles: First, as it concerns a world strategy that is increasingly becoming a triangular game; and second, as it concerns the bilateral relations which the Soviet Union has--or would like to have--with the other two powers."

The correspondent asserted that "henceforth the Soviet Union will find itself in the presence of two powers of the first rank, and if not of comparable weight, each having a major ability to act in Southeast Asia....

"If the Soviet Union does not necessarily feel itself threatened directly, the advance front of its diplomacy in South and Southeast Asia all of a sudden has become seriously vulnerable. This is enough for Moscow to have serious anxieties..."

A "first impression," the correspondent said, is that the "favorable trend" in U.S.-Soviet relations "is in danger of being disturbed by Mr. Nixon's trip." Some diplomats, he said, felt recently that a visit to Moscow by Mr. Nixon "was not inconceivable before the 1972 elections. This now appears unlikely, if only for reasons of protocol."

As for Sino-Soviet relations, the correspondent observed, the question is whether the Nixon trip to Peking will affect "the general direction of Soviet diplomacy, which up until now has tried to re-establish a good neighbor relationship with China.... To most expert observers this orientation is too basic to be compromised by the announcement of Mr. Nixon's trip."

Rome TV: "Reverses Trend Toward Isolation"

The story dominated Italian television and radio news and comment programs over the weekend.

Rome TV discussed aspects of "mutual isolation" in the two countries:

"After the first surprise, the reaction to Nixon's trip to China is mostly positive in the U.S., except from a few extremists.... This visit reverses a trend toward mutual isolation that seemed anachronistic in regard to the roles played by China and the U.S. in world politics....

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"In the framework of world-wide commitments, Nixon must also try not to hurt the feelings of the Soviets, who are alarmed if not shaken by the pace of Sino-American relations."

Of a possible Moscow trip the report said, "U.S. sources do not rule out the possibility.... This has been urged by ex-Vice President Humphrey and could take place if an agreement on nuclear strategic arms limitation were signed..."

A television news show yesterday included a report that "paradoxically, the place where Nixon's trip to Peking is least talked about is China itself.... Chinese officials, however, in confidential talks are stressing the importance of the trip."

Newspapers prominently front-paged further reports yesterday and today. Stories said Mr. Nixon would go to the Soviet Union before or after his China visit.

Papers differed in emphasis on possible reasons for Mr. Nixon's acceptance of the invitation.

Middle-of-the-road _Messaggero_ of Rome, seeing "a changed U.S. policy in the Pacific and in Asia," judged that "the latest developments in Vietnam and the undoubtedly unpleasant disputes on U.S. Vietnam policy resulted in the decision to re-examine U.S. Asian policy."

## "China Fears Soviet Border Threat"

Leading _Corriere della Sera_ of Milan said the joint announcement "confirms that China more than ever fears the USSR threat to its borders. This is all to Nixon's advantage. By his spectacular initiative... Nixon disarms his Democratic opponents..."

Left-center _La Stampa_ of Turin asserted, "This is the beginning of a tri-polar balance: the USSR, the U.S., and China."

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Austria: "Talks Not Tantamount to Settlement"

Austrian comment remained highly favorable. However, a cautionary note was struck by an influential provincial paper, independent _Salzburger Nachrichten_, which stated:

"There can be no doubt that Nixon's Guam Doctrine has contributed decisively to the change in Chinese foreign policy. Readiness for talks is not tantamount, however, to readiness for a settlement and for concessions. The door is open for spectacular political actions, but we are not yet sure that better days are in store for the world."

Belgian Radio: "Vision to End Cold War"

In Belgium, a Dutch-language radio correspondent said in a report from Washington that Mr. Nixon "can be credited with having the vision to end the cold war between Washington and Peking and infusing new life into the policy of peaceful co-existence."

A French-language TV news announcer spoke of the "decision that could change the face of the world." Newspaper treatment was also enthusiastic.

"Enhances Nixon Status in Most Capitals"

Brussels' influential Catholic conservative _Libre Belgique_ termed it "a master stroke" and continued:

"Mr. Nixon's initiative not only enhances his moral status in most capitals and at the U.N., but it almost justifies him a new term in the White House.... Within a few minutes, he made the American people entirely forget the concern aroused by the case of the leaked state secrets and all the other scandals that have abounded since his term began. The American people are now convinced that Nixon is truly a great man."

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Oslo: "Good for Mankind"

The China visit has had a great impact on Oslo media. For example, of the
seven dailies on newsstands Saturday morning, six carried editorials on the
announcement.

In a typical commentary, conservative *Aftenposten*, Norway's largest daily, declared that "a long and high Chinese wall of conflicts and problems separates the U.S. and China and it will not be easy to tear it down," but "even small steps toward a more tolerant tone in the relations between the Americans and the Chinese will be good for mankind."

Canadian Speculation

All major Canadian dailies hailed the President's announcement and speculated
variously that formal U.S. recognition of Peking was only a matter of time,
that the visit improves prospects for an end to the Vietnam war, and that an
understanding is in the works on Asian security, including a possible compromise
on Taiwan.

The *Montreal Gazette* wrote:

"The Chinese Government must, it would seem, have
excellent reasons to believe that the Vietnam war will
be over within a few months. Otherwise, the prospects
for Sino-American understanding would be so poor as to
make Mr. Nixon's trip extremely unpromising...

"Peking must also be convinced that the U.S. will not
stand permanently in the way of a Chinese settlement of
the Formosa question or keep on trying to block it at every
turn."

French-language *Le Devoir* of Montreal declared that "one can only rejoice
in this rapprochement" between the U.S. and the PRC, and that "it is to be
hoped that it promises an early settlement of the Indochina war as well as a
stabilization of the political situation in the Far East."

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Tokyo TV: "Good Thing for World Peace"

A commentator on public-financed NHK-TV, reflecting the tone of numerous
special programs welcoming the proposed visit, said, "It is a good thing for
world peace." He also reported "an air of uneasiness" in the Japanese Govern-
ment.

Media gave extensive coverage to Prime Minister Sato's policy speech on Saturday opening a special session of the Diet, and his later answers to Diet questions about Mr. Nixon's move.

Independent-moderate Mainichi observed today that "although Mr. Sato welcomed the proposed visit... as a contribution 'to the easing of world tensions, especially in Asia,' the expression seems ill-suited to the overall context of his policy speech."

"Shocking News for Sato Policy"

Independent-liberal Asahi said the announcement had been "shocking news for the foreign policy of the Sato Government.... Our country has become isolated in its relations with China...

"Ever since the war, conservative regimes in Japan, in response to requests from the U.S., have established foreign policy and defense concepts on the three 'pillars' of the San Francisco Peace Treaty, the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty and the Japan-Nationalist China Peace Treaty.

"The news of President Nixon's... visit was truly an announcement of the bankruptcy of such a conservative foreign policy. Despite this, Mr. Sato gave not the slightest indication, in his policy speech, of an outlook that could lead to restoration of relations with China."

Seoul: "Sino-U.S. Relations Will Remain Complicated"

The four major Seoul newspapers had these observations over the weekend: Leading Donga Ilbo said that "despite their hopes for peaceful co-existence, Sino-U.S. relations will remain as complicated as the relations between the Russians and the Americans."

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Independent _Hankuk Ilbo_ declared:

> "We are shocked by the rapid pace of detente... We want to advise our American friends not to indulge too deeply in this blissful mood.... We also want to advise Asian nations to shift from their stereotyped attitudes opposing detente and to refrain from rash reactions."

Conservative _Chosun Ilbo_ remarked that "many nations which have been accustomed to living in a bipolar world system find it very painful to...adapt themselves to a new world system... of multipolarization."

## "U. S. Must Dispel Asian Anxiety"

Middle-of-the-road _Joongang Ilbo_ said that despite the President's assurances, "many small nations neighboring Communist China view the drastic changes in American policy with concern and apprehension."

> "Therefore the immediate task the U. S. faces is to take effective measures to dispel this anxiety and uneasiness among Asian nations."

## Manila: "A Political Gambit?"

The leading _Manila Times_ maintained that "for all its positive aspects, Nixon's visit to Peking can still be viewed as nothing more than a brilliant political gambit...."

> "If this is just an opener, the next card could be an announcement of total U. S. withdrawal from Vietnam sometime before the Peking visit or immediately after. The Democrats... will have only domestic issues left... to top Nixon's hand."

> "And this may all be for the good, because the Vietnam war has so wrenched the fabric of American life that it will take a lot of doing to put the whole nation back into shape again."

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# "America Is for America"

The *Daily Mirror* of Manila said that "facing a hopeless stalemate in Indo-China," the President now "hopefully looks to the real China...for a bridge to Hanoi" which "Russia and others" had failed to provide.

"This is not to say that Hanoi will melt if China intervenes for an end to the struggle.... However, she cannot for long ignore Chou's importunings if they should come."

The paper added that America's Asian allies, "particularly Taipei, ... no longer have to entertain doubts regarding the real U. S. policy vis-a-vis the enemies of democracy, and this is that America is for America and that she is capable of anything, even to the extent of throwing away commitments and promises."

# Canberra: "A Coup of Statesmanship"

The *Sunday Australian* of Canberra saw the visit as "final acknowledgement of America's failure in Vietnam." It commented:

"It is surely something of a tribute to the President's skill that America's overdue withdrawal from the most tragic and humiliating war in her history should be signaled to the world in a triumphant coup of statesmanship and diplomacy.... Mr. Nixon goes to Peking to secure the guarantees necessary to facilitate the American withdrawal on a face-saving basis....

"There is reason to believe that a politician as shrewd a President Nixon would not have embarked on this initiative unless the goals were already set and the portents high for success.

"In the history of diplomacy, no mission has been launched with higher stakes..."

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# "Another Breakthrough: Communist Understanding of Democracy"

The *Australian Financial Review* of Sydney observed that although Mr. Nixon's proposed trip was itself "one of the major political breakthroughs in world history...its significance, its perils and its possibilities can only be judged in the light of another breakthrough which has received much less publicity.

> "The fact is that the Communist leadership, whether in Moscow, Peking or Hanoi, now gives every indication of having a fundamental understanding of how Western democracies work.... This is something relatively recent."

## New Delhi: "India Dragged Into Scenario"

Indian papers commented extensively and generally favorably on the proposed trip.

The *Hindustan Times* of New Delhi observed, however, that "the circumstances of Kissinger's secret air dash" may have "made a farce" of his trip to Pakistan. It suggested that India had "cause for grievance at being dragged into this dramatic scenario merely as an incidental."

## "Shade of Dulles Has Disappeared"

The moderate *Hindustan Standard* of Calcutta commented yesterday:

> "Peking has shed some of its old prejudices. And the shade of Dulles has disappeared from the Washington horizon.... Mr. Nixon deserves to be complimented on his success in removing a diplomatic fiction which has so far distorted his country's international vision."

Amrita Bazar Patrika of Calcutta said Mr. Nixon had "made a dramatic move to turn the thaw into a real glow." But it warned:

> "The cause of peace in Southeast Asia or in any part of the world will not be advanced if in the process of improving relations with China, the U.S. damages its relations with the Soviet Union."

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Tehran: "Dialogue Could Reduce Tension"

Kayhan International of Tehran, calling the invitation a "turning point" in world affairs, observed:

> "Both America and mainland China have stepped down from their previous rigid stance.... It would be optimistic to interpret this as an end to all tension... Yet the development will establish a dialogue between the two parties which could finally reduce tension to a tolerable level."

A skeptical note appeared in influential *Kayhan* on Saturday. It asserted that the offer and its acceptance "should be viewed only as a change of combat weapons... The political goals of both parties remain, and this is something that will never be settled by such trips and meetings."

Pakistani TV: "Like Splitting the Atom"

A national TV commentary called the proposed trip "the most dramatic, momentous and sensational event of the past quarter-century... matched only by the splitting of the atom in its possible consequences in international relations.... A 'welcome development for peace in Asia in particular and for the whole world.'"

Hope That Pakistan's Role "Will Offset Indian Propaganda"

An editorial in Karachi's pro-Government *Jang* noted Pakistan's role in facilitating Dr. Kissinger's visit to Peking and expressed the hope that this "would cause a change in U. S. public opinion about the situation in East Pakistan and offset the effects of Indian propaganda."

"Nixon Broke Shackles of Tradition"

An editorial in *The Sun*, entitled "Sino-U. S. Detente," said that "Mr. Nixon deserves praise for the courage to break the shackles of the past's inimical traditions. He will reap rich rewards."

> "The momentous diplomatic coup... should ensure for him a second term in the White House.... As for the Chinese leadership, it has shown broadmindedness and statesmanship."

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## Tel Aviv: Awaiting Eban Comment

Israeli papers reported today that Foreign Minister Eban is due to report comprehensively on foreign affairs to the Knesset and that in the report he will discuss the significance of U. S. policy toward China.

### "Advantages, Disadvantage For Israel"

Semi-official *Davar* of Tel Aviv yesterday saw short-term advantages to Israel in Mr. Nixon's proposed trip. These were that U. S. -Chinese rap-prochement would make the Soviets wish to avoid renewal of hostilities in the Middle East; that President Nixon's domestic position would be strengthened; and that an "honorable settlement" of the Vietnam war is now likelier.

The paper saw as one long-term disadvantage: the possibility that with Peking accepted as a member of the international community and possibly of the Security Council, it might continue its "extremist anti-Israeli position."

### "Serious Blow to USSR"

Mass-circulation independent *Yediot Aharonot* of Tel Aviv welcomed the trip, seeing it as a "serious blow" to the USSR likely to weaken the Soviet position in the Middle East and elsewhere. The paper expected acceptance of the invitation to strengthen Mr. Nixon's domestic position.

Independent *Haaretz*, examining the possible impact of the visit on U. S. -China and U. S. -Soviet relations, concluded that the U. S. will reduce its "pressure on Israel" to come to a "hasty" agreement with the UAR. The paper also predicted more caution on the part of the USSR in the Middle East in order to avoid a clash with the U. S. in the area.

## Tunis: "Risk in U. N. Admission"

*La Presse* of Tunis asked whether Peking, "once admitted" to the U. N., "would not be tempted to take the leadership of a number of Afro-Asian countries in order to render the international order even more precarious than it is now. It commented:

"Be that as it may, it is a risk to take, and it is better to bet on Chinese goodwill than to keep nearly one billion people far removed from world affairs."

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Peking: Anti-U. S. Propaganda As Usual

Peking media have given no further treatment to the announcement of Mr. Nixon's visit. Meanwhile, they have sustained routine anti-U. S. propaganda, as could be expected. For example, on Friday (Peking time), the day the news broke, reading of the announcement on Peking radio was followed shortly by a Mao anti-U. S. "slogan of the day," and NCNA international service in English reported a speech by the Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in which he "strongly condemned the U. S. and Japanese reactionaries for attempting to make South Korea into a military base for aggression against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and China and warned the U. S. and Japanese reactionaries: Should they dare unleash a new war of aggression, they will certainly suffer complete annihilation."

Hanoi: 'Nixon Attempts Big-Power Compromise'

Hanoi media have so far not mentioned the announcement. However, a long and well-publicized editorial in today's *Nhan Dan*, entitled, "The 'Nixon Doctrine' Will Surely Fail," asserted that one of the aims of the Doctrine is "dividing the socialist countries." It said further:

> "Nixon's policy also consists of trying to achieve a com-
> promise between the big powers in an attempt to make
> smaller countries bow to their arrangements... The time
> when a big power could bully a smaller country has also
> ended for good."

Moscow: No Direct Comment

Moscow media continued to treat the subject minimally and gingerly, initiating no direct comment but sparingly picking up foreign press views that served to make a Soviet point. Moscow TASS reported today from New York in its international service in English:

> "The paper of the American Communists, the *Daily World*, in an editorial commenting on President Nixon's decision to visit Peking, asks whether Nixon is really undertaking his voyage in the name of peace... The road to peace in Southeast Asia, points out the *Daily World*, consists in stopping the imperialist aggression of the U. S."

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Similarly, buried in an article in yesterday's *Komsomolskaya Pravda* which reviewed the news of the week was this paragraph:

> "Among the sensational news items published by the Western press was the report about the talks in Peking between Chou En-lai and White House representative Kissinger. The news was, of course, unusual, but not all that unexpected. Comment was various. The *Daily Mirror*, for example, wrote: 'Nixon's invitation to visit Peking means that China is using its influence to help the U.S. extricate itself from Vietnam under conditions acceptable to it.'"

## Radio Discussion of "Intensified U.S. Activity"

In its weekly "*Observers' Roundtable*" feature broadcast yesterday, Moscow radio domestic service aired the views of three name commentators who de-voted a few minutes to "intensified American diplomatic activity" last week. *Izvestia's* Matveyev cited Mr. Agnew's trip, Mr. Laird's talks in Tokyo, "and finally the eleven-day tour around Southeast Asia by Henry Kissinger, special assistant to President Nixon, during which, as Washington has now announced, he made a secret trip to Peking as a result of which President Nixon received an invitation to visit China...

> "Although Washington has not yet given an official answer to the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam's proposals, an answer is given for Washington by the American puppet Thieu, with whom Kissinger held very intimate behind-the-scenes talks before moving on to hold intimate talks in several other Asian capitals. Who knows, maybe there is a connection between the Kissinger talks in Saigon and in the other Asian capitals. In any case, there is a significant coincidence here."

## Budapest: "A Platform of Anti-Sovietism"

Hungarian media joined East Berlin and Sofia in criticizing the Chinese in-vitation and the acceptance by President Nixon, charging that rapprochement between the U.S. and Communist China "is taking place on the platform of anti-Sovietism" (*Nepszabadsag*, the Party organ). Likewise, they attempted

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to turn attention back to the Viet Cong July 1 peace plan and asserted that "the only applicable yardstick" in judging the prospect of Mr. Nixon's visit to China "is related to the struggle waged by the people of Indochina; more exactly, what effect it will have on this struggle. Does it strengthen or weaken the position of Indochina?" (ibid.).

Belgrade: "Contacts... Are Useful"

Belgrade Tanjug carried on Saturday the text of the Yugoslav Foreign Secretariat's statement on the announcement which said in part:

> "Like the rest of the world, we have attached special attention and significance to this news. Contacts and meetings of highly-placed representatives of state and government which contribute to the normalization of relations, relaxation of tension and peaceful solution of international problems upon principles which take into account the interests of every country are useful and in keeping with the lasting interests of the whole international community."

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