In the end, Kissinger yielded on Laird but was insistent that Rogers and the State Department be kept in the dark for as long as possible. Their exclusion was remarkable, given the fact that Ambassador Bunker, who was technically under the authority of the Secretary of State, was fully cognizant of their plans. However, it was established procedure for Bunker to keep important information from his department superiors, while communicating more candidly with the White House.
