357.AD/12–950: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received December 9—8 p. m.]
Delga 399. From Gross. Re Chinese Communist conversations with Rau. Confirming Gross–Hickerson telecon today, following is report of Gross conversation with Rau December 9.
Rau advised me he had conversation with Wu this a.m., in which following points emerged.
Rau asked Wu whether he had received a reply from his government. Wu replied at first that he had not. Rau then pressed him by asking whether, if he had not received a specific reply, whether he had any indication of reaction his government either to discussions between Rau and Wu or to Asiatic declaration.
Wu then advised Rau that although he had received no specific reply, his government was anxious to see end to hostilities “which had been forced upon them by the US”. Wu asked Rau whether he could not advise him of attitude “of the US or of the UN” toward the proposal which Rau had made. Rau replied that he could not comment about the “attitude of the UN”, but that he had reason to believe US would be prepared to give consideration to a proposal for an immediate cease-fire, a demilitarized zone, and “further negotiations”. Rau told me that, in connection with Wu’s comment concerning the attitude of Peiping Government, Rau asked Wu whether the latter could confirm what Rau had told other members of UN concerning attitude of Peiping Government. Rau explained to Wu that he had expressed to other members of UN his (Rau’s) belief that Chinese Communist Government did not wish a war. Wu repeated to him an earlier comment that his government was anxious to see an end to hostilities, repeating again that these hostilities had been forced upon his government by US.
[Page 1491]With regard to Rau’s question concerning Peiping reaction toward Asiatic declaration, Wu replied that the UN would see for itself from actions of Peiping Government. I pressed Rau for his interpretation of this somewhat cryptic reply, and Rau expressed view that Wu intended him to infer that Chinese Communists would heed the declaration. The primary basis upon which Rau apparently drew this inference was that Wu’s manner throughout conversation with Rau was very friendly.
Rau told me that at end of his conversation with Wu, Rau attempted to summarize discussion. When he had finished his summary, Wu made following two points which he said he wished Rau to take as seriously intended:
- (1)
- The Chinese Communist Government was anxious to have an end to the hostilities.
- (2)
- Action upon the pending six-power resolution would “not facilitate matters”.
Rau told me that he is awaiting further word either from Peiping or from New Delhi. He said Panikkar had been instructed to take up in Peiping the same matter which Rau had been discussing here with Wu. Rau thought he might have further word today or tomorrow re the Panikkar discussion. This connection, Thurston informed today in separate conversation with other member Indian delegation that GOI placing considerable importance on Panikkar negotiations with Chinese Communists at Peiping which were described as of “somewhat formal character” and “covering far broader scope than mere cease-fire in Korea”. Inference was that other FE issues included such as Formosa and Chinese representation UN and also that GOI seeking high-level conference among UK, US, USSR and Peiping representatives as next step (Nehru’s speech in Parliament yesterday cited on latter point).
Rau told me also that just before seeing me (he called me out of the political committee meeting to give me foregoing information), he had passed the word along to Kenneth Younger. Rau said Younger told him he was having lunch with me and would discuss matter with me. My lunch with Younger will enable me to confirm full accuracy of this report and I shall report later any impression which Younger may have derived.
At conclusion our conversation, Rau said that although he had not yet received instructions from New Delhi, he thought he would “probably” table the cease-fire proposal in political committee on Monday.1 He was somewhat vague when I pressed him concerning [Page 1492] nature of proposal, although he indicated it would be along lines of our previous conversation, i.e., a call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and provision for demilitarized zone. I shall undoubtedly be in touch with Rau later today or tomorrow and will endeavor to obtain text of any proposal he intends to table. However, it is very important that I be in a position to make any comments on the text which Department wishes me to make, unless Department desires me to refrain from comment of any nature. [Gross.]
- December 11.↩