Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, China, Volume II

133. Telegram From the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bohlen) to the Department of State¹

Moscow, February 27, 1955—6 p.m.

1400. Reference Embtel 1397.² British Ambassador stated purpose of Molotov’s request for him to call yesterday was to give Soviet reply on point one (i.e. composition of conference) of British message of February 9 (Embtel 1279).³ Molotov stated, and then handed aide-mémoire⁴ to Hayter, that CPR could not participate in conference with representative of Chinese Nationalist Government.

Hayter indicated he had impression this was not necessarily final word Soviet Government.

Hayter asked Molotov whether latter could make any statement regarding point two of British message of February 9 and Molotov, without mentioning UN, said that it would be up to Soviet, British and Indian Governments to consult on possibilities of conference on Formosa.

British Ambassador did not know whether Molotov had called in Indian Chargé as well but thought it probable.

Understand substance Soviet aide-mémoire will be available London and Washington.

Bohlen

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793.00/2–2755. Top Secret; Priority. Repeated for information to London.
2. Telegram 1397 from Moscow, February 26, reported that Molotov had asked Hayter to call on him that afternoon. (Ibid., 793.00/2–2655)
3. Document 100.
4. The text of the aide-mémoire was given to the Department by the British Embassy in Washington on February 28. (Department of State, Central Files, 793.00/2–2855)