243. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, May 6, 1955, 3:37 p.m.1
SUBJECT
- Further discussions of Ambassador Malik’s Memorandum to the Secretary Regarding his talks with Chou En-lai at Bandung
PARTICIPANTS
- Ambassador Charles Malik, Lebanon
- The Secretary
- NE—Mr. Hart
The Secretary thanked Ambassador Malik for coming in, explaining that he had asked him to call in order to verify certain points regarding the very interesting memorandum which the Ambassador had left with him giving a detailed report of his talks at Bandung with Chou En-lai.2 The Secretary had handed it to the President, who had agreed to read it.
The Secretary commented that he had to “salute” Chou’s performance at Bandung although he was by no means convinced of Chou’s sincerity. Several countries, the UK, India, Pakistan and Indonesia, had proffered their good offices to the U.S. to facilitate a peaceful solution in the Far East. Meanwhile, the Department was gathering information by “probing”. At an appropriate time it could contact the Communist Chinese through the Embassy of a friendly country such as one of those just mentioned, or it could utilize the intermediary of the USSR. Did Ambassador Malik have any thoughts on this subject?
Ambassador Malik agreed that the intentions of the Communist Chinese should be probed with the expectation that there would have to be an eventual face-to-face meeting. The Secretary replied that in his view a face-to-face meeting should not come soon, but be preceded by exchanges of messages through intermediaries and further probing as to intentions. Ambassador Malik agreed. He could hardly advise as to whom to use as intermediary. The USSR was hardly an intermediary who would satisfy the requirement of being one in whom both parties could have confidence.
The Secretary asked whether Malik had any idea as to Chou’s thoughts on the mechanics of negotiation. Malik replied in the negative, but had the strong impression that Chou’s idea was to meet around the table somewhere, sometime. The Secretary indicated that [Page 557] while the four previously mentioned countries (the UK, India, Pakistan and Indonesia) were acting voluntarily in probing the intentions of the Communist Chinese, this process could not continue indefinitely.
Malik asked whether the Secretary General of the UN might be a suitable intermediary. Had he done a good job in connection with the American flyers? The Secretary replied that Hammarskjold had not done a good job. Malik asked about Mohammed Ali. The Secretary responded that so many countries which might be intermediaries have interests of their own, which they would wish to see served. There was the friction between Pakistan and India and the fact that Pakistan would like to neutralize China as far as India is concerned. The Secretary had merely wished to be sure before going to Paris that he had all Malik’s thoughts, since the topic would come up at Paris and if he then went on to Vienna, Molotov might bring it up there. Malik replied that if he personally could assist in any way, he would be glad to ask his Government for permission to proceed to Communist China. The Secretary expressed his appreciation for this offer without accepting it.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 670.901/5–655. Secret. Drafted on May 9 by Hart. The time of the meeting is from Dulles’ appointment diary. (Princeton University Library, Dulles Papers)↩
- Reference is to the report which Malik gave Dulles on May 5; see footnote 5, Document 239.↩