Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXII, Northeast Asia

87. Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State ⁰

Warsaw, March 1, 1962, 7 p.m.

1336. Cabot-Wang talks. 108 meeting two hours 15 minutes.¹ Re Deptel 1114.²

(1) After initial civilities and handing Wang letter (reference telegram paragraph 1),³ I opened with substance paragraph two reference telegram.⁴ Long silence followed during which Wang nervously shuffled papers, which I interpret as bearing out prediction paragraph three reference telegram.⁵

(2) After welcoming me, Wang observed serious disputes exist between our two ÿ2Dcountries affecting not only our relations but peace in Far East. Attached significance and hope to fact this first talk of new year and my first participation. Reviewed briefly history of return of prisoners question with nothing new in arguments, stressing would be abnormal for sovereign country allow criminals go unpunished. Also covered US “occupation” Taiwan. Wang charged we were still retaining some Chinese in US.

(3) I countered with part of substance paragraph two Deptel 774⁶ and paragraph three reference telegram, adding that if Wang felt US failed apply agreed announcement 1955 fully, we would welcome names any Chinese who wish return mainland and have failed do so. Specifically covered pertinence Powers release⁷ (to which Wang did not return). Answered Taiwan charge paragraphs four and five reference telegram.

(4) Wang made distinction between civilians and convicts. Then requested US make serious reappraisal policy toward China. Accused US of coercion in UNGA Chinese representation and insisting on discussion Tibet which internal matter. UN declaring China as aggressor Korea was ignominious time in history UN for US was aggressor and is now preparing for nuclear war. Eight serious warnings aircraft and ship intrusions since last meeting. Accused US direct participation in war in Vietnam and torpedoing Laos agreement. Our activities SEA were threat to China. Relations US and China already deteriorated seriously but could improve. Key is withdrawal from Taiwan after which other questions could be readily settled.

(5) I said majority governments of world did not agree Chinese Communist regime was legal government of China. My impression was it came to power by force and maintained self by force. Rebutted charges against US policy SEA along lines Deptel 786.⁸

(6) In saying Chinese people rejected Chiang, Wang referred my personal observations of Chinese welcome to Communist forces in Shanghai. I denied noting evidences any jubilation and referred [refuted] earlier claim our relations with Chiang were master-slave.

(7) Wang asked what sort freedom exists in US where “progressive” organization not even allowed exist? I said our constitution guarantees right engage in peaceful political activities any group. There followed brief banter concerning freedom in general on which meeting ended in relatively friendly atmosphere with agreement April 5 for next meeting.

(8) Polish News Agency took brief movies at conference and on arrival and departure at behest US news.

Cabot

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/3-162. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Taipei, Hong Kong, Geneva, Stockholm, and Moscow.
1. Cabot commented and sent recommendations for the next meeting in telegram 1337, March 3, and sent a detailed, apparently verbatim report of the meeting in airgram A-496, March 2. (Ibid., 611.93/3-362 and 611.93/3-262, respectively)
2. Telegram 1114, February 22, transmitted Cabot’s instructions for the meeting. It stated that in Cabot’s first session as U.S. representative, he should direct his effort to the two items most closely identified with the original agenda: the detained American civilians and renunciation of force. (Ibid., 611.93/2-2262)
3. The letter confirmed Cabot’s designation as U.S. representative to the Ambassadorial talks.
4. Paragraph 2 declared that it was impossible to reconcile the continued detention of U.S. civilians with the agreed announcement of September 10, 1955. For texts of the announcements made by both sides on that date, see Foreign Relations, 1955–1957, vol. III, pp. 85-86.
5. Paragraph 3 began: “Limiting opening statement to prisoners issue should make it relatively awkward for Wang to make logical transition to propaganda accusations concerning United States policy in Far East which have been mainstay of his recent presentations.”
6. See footnote 3, Document 78.
7. Reference is to the Soviet Union’s release of Francis Gary Powers on February 10; see Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, volume V. Telegram 1114 suggested that Cabot note the release of Powers and, if queried as to its relevance, state that it showed other Communist authorities found means consistent with judicial sovereignty to release an imprisoned American.
8. See footnote 4, Document 78.