323. Telegram 999 from Geneva1

[Facsimile Page 1]

999. From Johnson.

1.
Believe that at next meeting I should not and need not enter into any detailed reply to his draft agreed announcement. However believe it would be useful to ask him additional questions and would appreciate Department’s suggestions in this regard.
2.
With respect implementation believe circumstances call for some different approach for at least one meeting and I suggest my line be to note release Mills and Proulx and express hope this signifies all others will be following shortly.
3.
Believe I should follow up missing military personnel item taking another name and pressing in same manner as with Craig’s case last meeting but without again attempting force him accept lists unless appears he willing accept. Hope reply Mytel 977 will contain well documented facts on at least one additional name.
4.
In order capitalize on probability some action will take place in next few months to remove some items from CHINCOM control list, suggest I invite his views on trade embargo in context para 5 Deptel 870, asking questions outlined therein as seems useful. I would offer to accept any material he desires give me this regard contrasting with his refusal accept list missing military personnel. Request Department’s comments on desirability my soliciting at this or subsequent meeting views on specific items present CHINCOM list they consider non-strategic [Facsimile Page 2] and in whose removal from list they particularly interested for non-military purposes.
Gowen
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/10–2955. Secret; Priority; Limited Distribution.