Office of the Historian

274. Telegram 833 from Geneva1

Geneva, October 8, 1955, midnight
[Facsimile Page 1]

833. From Johnson.

1.
This morning’s meeting one hour twenty minutes. I led off with relatively brief but pointed statement on dissatisfaction with [Typeset Page 377] implementation, then made statement on renunciation of force giving Wang a copy.
2.
Wang then made very long prepared statement replying my charges at last meeting on implementation, saying nothing new and rehashing old statements on item two. Alleged I had violated secrecy of talks by informing press I had raised subject missing military personnel.
3.
In reply my brief rebuttal pointing out best my knowledge UK Charge had no answers questions on implementation, replied so far as he knew no “formal” approach from UK Charge.
4.
He made brief ad lib reply our renunciation of force statement using same arguments as previous meetings.
5.
I replied briefly emphasizing importance and carefully considered character our statement, made no charges against PRC, did not propose his government say anything my government not prepared to say, was made in most earnest desire contribute progress these talks, and was put forward as earnest, constructive effort deal with problems he and I called upon deal with here. Asked for careful study and considered reply by his government.
6.
He asked I be prepared next meeting discuss embargo. I pointed out my statement today dealt with timing discussion this subject. In reply he again rejected any concept of fixed order of discussion. I pointed out today’s statement dealt with matter from important substantive aspect rather than procedural.
7.
With respect allegation on leaks to press replied both he and I knew reports were not accurate, therefore clearly did not originate with me but were probably assumptions based on earlier public statements made in US even before beginning these talks. He did not pursue subject.
8.
Next meeting Friday, October 14.
Gowen
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/10–855. Confidential; Niact; Limited Distribution.↩