396.1 GE/7–2154
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Head of the United States Delegation ( Smith )
Subject:
- Unilateral U.S. Declaration at Geneva Conference.
Participants:
- Mr. V. M. Molotov, Minister for Foreign Affairs, USSR
- Mr. V. V. Kuznetsov, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, USSR
- Mr. O. A. Troyanovsky, Interpreter
- U—General Smith
- Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson
I called on Molotov at his villa shortly before the plenary meeting this afternoon and told him I wished to inform him of exactly what the United States was going to say at the meeting this afternoon.
Troyanovsky interpreted to Mr. Molotov the full text of the U.S. Delegation declaration. I said that this declaration should be satisfactory, and pointed out that the last paragraph of the declaration with respect to the renewal of aggression was stronger than that in the proposed Conference declaration.
Mr. Molotov pointedly referred to the fact that the U.S. would not be associated with the other members of the Conference and was taking a unilateral position. He said it was unfortunate that the U.S. was disassociating itself from all the others. I replied that some of the others were not recognized by the U.S. and that the Conference agreements contained some things we disliked very much. However, I said, the United States had consistently tried to be helpful, particularly in [Page 1497] discussions with the Cambodian representatives the previous night. This drew a quizzical expression from Molotov. (Both the Chinese and the Russians believe we tried to induce the Cambodians to hold out.)
Without mentioning it by name, Molotov referred to SEATO as a renewed threat. I replied that it would not be a threat to anyone, but would be purely, and I hoped strongly, defensive. In response to his question I said that it was not now contemplated that the Associated States be invited or pressed to join SEATO.