Office of the Historian

216. Telegram From the Ambassador in Indonesia (Cumming) to the Department of State1

Jakarta, April 23, 1955—10 p.m.

2005. Romulo sent for me urgently evening April 23 to pass me results informal luncheon meeting delegations Colombo powers plus ChiCom, Philippines and Thailand. In response Sir John question re how tension over Taiwan might be eased, Chou made following points:

(a)
Taiwan internal question which could be solved by China same way as liberation mainland, but complicated by intervention US.
(b)
China does not want war and willing enter into negotiations with US. Repeated this several times and agreed make his statement publicly.
(c)
Method or forum of negotiation not important, but noted US rejected Soviet proposal ten-power discussion.
(d)
US proposal re evacuation off-shore islands in return for ChiCom guarantee not to liberate Taiwan out of question. Also flatly rejected Sir John’s question re acceptability plebiscite. US and Chiang must leave Taiwan, ChiComs willing work out reasonable future status for both China and its forces.

Romulo said he declined comment in absence instructions. Asked me send above to Washington and Robertson at Taipei soonest. Said he sending to Magsaysay and Mohammad Ali2 sending to Pakistan Ambassador Washington.

While foregoing being coded Bandung for phone transmission to Djakarta, received Chinese statement3 sent Embtel 2004 repeated Taipei 31.4

Cumming
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 793.00/4–2355. Secret; Niact. Repeated for information to Taipei for Robertson.↩
  2. Prime Minister of Pakistan.↩
  3. The statement, issued that afternoon by the Chinese Delegation, reads as follows: “The Chinese people are friendly to the American people. The Chinese people do not want to have war with the United States of America. The Chinese Government is willing to sit down and enter into negotiations with the United States Government to discuss the question of relaxing tension in the Far East and especially in the Taiwan area.” (New York Times, April 24, 1955)↩
  4. Telegram 2004 from Jakarta, April 23, transmitted the substance of the statement quoted in footnote 3 above. (Department of State, Central Files, 670.901/4–2355)↩