396.1 GE/3–2254: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1
4982. Re London’s tel 40722 and despatch 3094.3 We have made it crystal clear to British Embassy here that we do not consider procedural matters re Geneva Conference as unimportant and unconnected with substance. On contrary our position which we have stated firmly and categorically to UK and French Embassies here is that we will not agree to any procedural arrangement which gives or implies that Communist China has some special position different from other participants. In particular we would not agree to any proposal that Communist China would be consulted by US, UK, France or USSR re composition of Indochina phase of Geneva Conference. As practical matter we would expect that Soviets on their part would in fact consult China but tripartite agreement at Berlin clearly would preclude any consultation with China by Western Big Three since in fact such consultation would give China a special status.
To sum up we would reject any proposal, procedural or otherwise, which would give Communist China a special place or imply a “Five Power” concept.
[Page 485]In any discussions with FonOff on subject Geneva you should make clear our position as set forth above. As per tripartite agreement we are coordinating procedural, administrative and technical matters in Washington and will keep Paris and London fully informed.