28. Telegram 317 from Geneva1
317. From Johnson.
Would appreciate Department’s guidance on what form it envisages for conclusion and announcement any understanding that may be reached on representation interests nationals with CHICOMS. It appears to me that form of agreed public statement issued here by Wang and myself would be most natural one and one which CHICOMS will expect. It would also seem from our standpoint preferable to possible alternative of Peking-Washington statement.
I believe any such statement should include CHICOM action with respect Americans and CHICOMS will desire include something on [Typeset Page 33] students. Such a statement would thus in effect become final statement on conclusion discussions of return civilians. Thus it would also be useful negotiating device by enabling us maintain position CHICOMS must take acceptable action on Americans before understanding on representation can be consummated.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–555. Confidential.↩