Office of the Historian

17. Telegram From Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson to the Department of State1

Geneva, August 11, 1955—1 p.m.

403. At meeting this morning issue was clearly joined. In interest expediting agreement and although not completely satisfactory to Chinese Wang submitted “draft agreement” incorporating but somewhat broadening along line anticipated mytel 364,2 our representation proposal (text by separate tel)3 and stated that if concluded “I will advise you very soon concerning results review” cases detained American nationals. During course informal discussion he mentioned release fliers as Chinese gesture and expectation gesture from US.

I stressed degree we have gone meeting their point of view, that is removal all restrictions against Chinese in US, consideration representation proposal, lack substantial results his last year’s promise review cases Americans, length time Americans in prison, lack of value representation proposal to Americans in China whose situation could be resolved only by action his government, inequality situation [Page 29] two groups nationals, and repeated with increasing directness agreement representation not possible until action their part Americans.

During course considerable give and take Wang increasingly clear in implication no action on Americans until representation agreement but that such action would promptly follow agreement.

Movement this morning was also explicitly in context agenda item one completed with agreement on representation and desire move on immediately to agenda item two.

Next meeting Saturday, August 13, 10 am.

While continuing give no info press on meetings am informally taking line central issue has been and remains release Americans.

[Johnson]
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–1155. Confidential; Priority. Received at 10:20 a.m.↩
  2. See footnote 2, Document 15.↩

  3. Supra. Johnson’s detailed report of the meeting, in telegram 412 from Geneva, August 11, reads in part as follows:

    “Wang continued, saying at last meeting I had stated US Government considering certain arrangement. He then proceeded repeat almost word for word arrangement I had suggested previous meeting. He went on to say in opinion his government this arrangement could not satisfy demands of nationals both sides, especially Chinese nationals in US. However in interest speedily reaching agreement on first agenda item he was ready agree basically such arrangement as first step in safeguarding interests nationals both sides.” (Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–1155)

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