249.1111–Oatis, William/11–251: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Czechoslovakia 1
263. Commend skill and restraint with which you handled Siroky conversation. Concur first para urtel 3682 path not smooth or easy but consider you have prepared ground well. Fact Czechs now talking indicates change earlier attitude and probability desire settlement.
Believe very likely, however, that as communist negotiators, Czechs can be expected to avoid putting cards on table until absolutely necessary, and to spin out talks until they have built up record to show they have obtained best possible terms.
We should not therefore be too concrete in our initial offers, lest Czech commies interpret our readiness to settle as overeagerness reflecting weakness, an interpretation which might produce stiffening their position and consequently delay solution problems.
Suggest, therefore, in your next mtg with Siroky you: [Page 1425]
- 1)
- Continue emphasize exchange prisoners.
- 2)
- Adding however that expulsion from country of Oatis and Hvasta would relieve pressure on Embassy to extent permitting resumption certification consular invoices.
- 3)
- Suggest also if Siroky seems interested that general invalidation US passports for Czecho will be rescinded (phrased thus to permit specific bans Amer commie travel there).
- 4)
- Stop there, and wait for Czech counterproposal.
We note your estimate (with which we agree) Czechs feeling pressure but with exception rejection exchange only, Czechs have not been forthcoming on their specific ideas as to terms.
We think that if pressure on them is correctly estimated another effort to elicit more concrete thinking their part might be fruitful and that in line therewith, we should not be abrupt in spelling out further US proposals such as overflights. Meanwhile also we wld postpone for time being consultation Fr-Brit on overflight possibilities.
In emphasizing prisoners we see no reason you cannot take line prisoner exchange directly reciprocal and mutual exchange individuals that basis could hardly be considered by anyone to involve pressure.