188. Telegram From Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson to the Department of State1
2100. One hour 55 minute meeting this morning, 1½ hours of which in implementation. I opened with statement pointing out absurdity his position last meeting on Chinese prisoners which in effect is demand we not apply agreed announcement such prisoners. His replies along same lines last meeting referring to “Indian Embassy [Page 382] being led into damaging trap” and PRC would “not agree to India participating in screening prisoners”.2
We cut short implementation discussion saying we wanted take up “proper” question of draft declaration. His mild prepared statement referred to Department’s June 12 press release.3 Our socalled minor changes their December 1 draft actually brought about “qualitative change” showing continued US stubborn persistence “freezing present status quo Taiwan and refusing negotiation” on subject. Apparent US aim is requiring PRC accept present state US occupation Taiwan interference liberation off-shore islands while indefinitely protracting these talks. PRC position continued be declaration could consist either of general statement or peaceful settlement disputes without resorting threat use force, or if Taiwan area specifically mentioned FMC for specific settlement must also be proposed. If US desires agreement on announcement should not distort their May 11 draft.
I replied admitting to “stubborn persistence” in seeking unambiguous, unqualified, unlimited in time renunciation of force specifically applicable Taiwan area as well as elsewhere and stating their failure accept our April 19 revisions indicated they unwilling accept this simple straightforward proposition. His remarks this morning as well as previously indicated they did not consider their December 1 draft applicable Taiwan area. This one of points of ambiguity my April 19 draft intended clarify.
Next meeting Thursday June 8.4 Proceeding Prague Friday morning returning Geneva Tuesday.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/6–2156. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩
- In guidance telegram 2183 to Geneva, June 19, Johnson was instructed to: “Continue your efforts obtain maximum psychological advantage from our pending initiative on offer to Chinese prisoners of repatriation and on Indian visits to verify this and freedom of choice. You are given discretion in determining how you will exploit absurd position Wang took at last meeting in objecting to Indian Embassy performance its role, and in demanding unconditional release Chinese criminals.” The Department added that the Indian Embassy had indicated that it would be unable to respond to the invitation to interview the Chinese prisoners until it had received instructions from New Delhi. (Ibid., 611.93/6–1956)↩
- See footnote 4, Document 185.↩
- Reference to June 8 is an obvious error. The next meeting at Geneva took place on July 10; see Document 194.↩