253. Letter from Clough to McConaughy1
Alex took off at 4:00 a.m. by automobile for Prague. Since we had worked until 11:00 p.m. getting off yesterday’s telegrams, he was unable to write the usual weekly letter to you and asked me to get a note into the pouch in explanation. He expects to leave Prague for the return trip on Sunday, arriving here late Monday night. He hopes that you will repeat to him in Prague any important telegrams.
Actually, there is nothing on the substance of the talks to be added to yesterday’s telegrams. We tried to cover the situation as thoroughly [Typeset Page 336] as we could. The discussion is developing very much as anticipated and our principal worry at the moment, as pointed out in the telegrams, is how to prevent a complete deadlock from arising over our refusal to admit the “higher level conference” as a subject for discussion.
I am glad to know that arrangements are underway for bringing me back to Washington. This has been a most interesting and useful experience for me and I am, in some ways, reluctant to leave at this point. However, as we seem to be moving toward a one meeting a week schedule, there really is not enough work here to justify keeping two officers away from CA when you are so short-handed.
Bob Ekvall was glad to know that you were consulting with Defense on trying to improve his position here. At the moment, his orders have expired and he is technically AWOL, so some action will have to be taken rather quickly.
[Facsimile Page 2]Doug and I have been reading with interest the despatches from Taipei and Hong Kong which you have been sending. We also appreciate the trouble you took in rounding up the collection of documents that we had asked you for. They will be helpful to us as we move further into the next phase of the talks.
Best regards,
- Source: Department of State, Geneva Talks Files, Lot 72D415. Secret; Official–Informal. Clough signed the original “Ralph.” A handwritten note on the letter indicates it was received on October 3.↩