Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Volume III, Microfiche Supplement, China

128. Telegram 599 from Geneva¹

Geneva, August 24, 1955, 11 a.m.

599. From Johnson.

1. I offer following thought as possible way out of present impasse in event it continues be impossible move CHICOM off present position on giving time limit in which release remaining Americans will be completed.

2. I would inform Wang that we willing enter into representation arrangement on basis his assurances that remaining cases will expeditiously be settled within framework those arrangements. If this does not in fact result we desire make clear that we reserve full freedom to reconsider the continuation of the representation arrangement for Chinese in US. Also desire make clear that we would consider “expeditiously” to be period of two and in any event not more than three months.

3. I would also inform Wang that at time agreed declaration issued here that my government would find it necessary issue unilateral statement to effect that US had entered into arrangement and agreed to “agreed announcement” on basis of assurances that all remaining cases would be expeditiously settled and that Americans concerned would thereupon promptly be able to return to US. US had accepted these assurances and expected that CPR would expeditiously take necessary further measures to this end so that all remaining Americans desiring to return would in fact be able to do so within reasonable period of time.

4. No specific mention would be made in any such formal unilateral statement of possibility of cancelling representation arrangement nor would “reasonable period time” be exactly defined but it would lay public basis for cancelling the arrangement if remaining Americans are not in fact released within two-three months period.

Gowen

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–2455. Secret.