319. Editorial Note
An identic announcement issued by the Governments of the United States and the People’s Republic of China at 10 a.m. Washington time on July 25, reads as follows:
“As a result of communication between the United States and the People’s Republic of China through the diplomatic channels of the United Kingdom, it has been agreed that the talks held in the last year between consular representatives of both sides at Geneva should be conducted on ambassadorial level in order to aid in settling the matter of repatriation of civilians who desire to return to their respective countries and to facilitate further discussions and settlement of certain other practical matters now at issue between both sides. The first meeting of ambassadorial representatives of both sides will take place on August 1, 1955 at Geneva.”
A Department of State announcement issued at the same time stated that the talks held from time to time during the previous year in Geneva between United States and Chinese Communist representatives concerning the return to their respective countries of those civilians who desired to do so were to be resumed at the ambassadorial level. It stated that following Chou En-lai’s announcement at Bandung that he was willing to have direct talks with the United States, “several governments have indirectly in Peiping and Washington explored the possibilities of such talks. It was suggested that it would be desirable to resume the Geneva talks at the ambassadorial level in the hope that this would bring about agreement on the return of U.S. civilians detained in China and facilitate further discussions and settlement of other practical matters now at issue. This may include U.S. reinforcement of the effort being made by the United Nations to secure the release of U.S. prisoners of war.
“It has been made clear that these talks, as in the case of all our prior discussions with the Chinese Communists, do not involve diplomatic recognition.”
The complete text of the announcement is in the Department of State Bulletin, August 8, 1955, pages 219–220.
[Page 679]At a press conference on July 26, Secretary Dulles stated that the United States had proposed on July 11 to Chou En-lai that the talks that had been going on in Geneva should be “somewhat raised in level and enlarged in scope”. It was made clear, he said, that the United States offer implied no diplomatic recognition and that “we were not prepared in any way in these talks to make arrangements which would prejudice the rights of our ally, the Republic of China.” The Secretary referred to United States concern with the American civilians detained in China and interest in reinforcing the United Nations efforts to bring about the return of the American flyers, but, he continued,
“Of course, the basic thing is that which I pointed out in my press conference of April 26, namely, ‘whether we must prepare for war in that area or whether there is apt to be a cease-fire in the area.’
“The United States believes that whatever may be the differences which now divide countries, these differences should not be settled by recourse to force where this would be apt to provoke international war. The United States has itself consistently acted on that belief. Wherever we give any military assistance, it is under the explicit condition that it will not be used for aggressive purposes. There is no doubt but what East Germany is part of Germany, but Chancellor Adenauer has given solemn assurance that he will not use force to unite his country. There is no doubt that North Korea is a part of Korea, but the security treaty which we made with the Republic of Korea makes clear that the United States will not extend its protection other than to areas which we recognize as having been lawfully brought under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Korea, and we do not believe that aggressive force is such a lawful means. There is no doubt but that North Viet-Nam is part of Viet-Nam, but we stated in connection with the Indochina armistice that we were opposed to any renewal of aggression to bring about the unification of Viet-Nam.
“Both the Republic of China and the Chinese People’s Republic claim that the area held by the other is part of China. But in connection with the mutual security treaty which the United States made with the Republic of China, it was agreed that the Republic of China would not use force except as a matter of joint agreement, subject to action of an emergency character which was clearly an exercise of the inherent right of self-defense.
“We believe that the principle of nonrecourse to force is valid not merely for the United States and its allies but that it is valid for all.
“We shall hope to find out in the forthcoming talks whether the Chinese Communists accept the concept of a cease-fire in accordance with the United Nations principle of avoiding any use or threat of force which could disturb the peace of nations.
“No doubt the Chinese Communists will have matters of their own to bring up. We shall listen to hear what they are, and if they directly involve the United States and Communist China we will be disposed to discuss them with a view to arriving at a peaceful settlement.
[Page 680]“As President Eisenhower said last night,
“‘The United States will go to any length consistent with our concepts of decency and justice and right to attain peace. For this purpose we will work cooperatively with the Soviets and any other people as long as there is sincerity of purpose and a genuine desire to go ahead.’
“That is the principle which will govern the continuation of our talks with the Chinese Communists at Geneva.”
At the same press conference, when the Secretary was asked about the possibility of a meeting between himself and Chou En-lai, which Senator George had suggested on the television show “Meet the Press” on July 24, he replied that he did not think there was currently any place for talks at the Foreign Minister level but that he did not exclude the possibility. His remarks on this subject were quoted in telegram 63 to Taipei, July 26. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/7–2655)
At President Eisenhower’s press conference on July 27, the President responded to a question about the possibility of a meeting on the ministerial level as follows:
“Well, I couldn’t guess at this moment as to a meeting at the ministerial level.
“I think you know the record of this whole project up to this moment. I read this morning Secretary Dulles’ statement, so to my knowledge it is exactly accurate all the way through, what has come about, why we did raise this level of meeting, and sent Mr. Johnson to Geneva to carry it out.
“Now, what will come from there, what the next step will be, I am not quite sure.”
A little later, in responding to another question concerning the ambassadorial talks, he said,
“We must find out, though, what they want to talk about. Then there would have to be a next advance; and it might be, as someone else suggested, eventually you have to go to a ministerial level of meeting to get these straightened out.
“I wouldn’t know.”
The complete transcript of the press conference is in Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1955, pages 731–744.