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

427. Telegram 1311 from Geneva¹

Geneva, December 22, 1955, 10 p.m.

1311. From Johnson.

1. Wang opened 31st meeting today with prepared statement: It three months since September 14, when our side put forward question of embargo and question of making preparations for Sino-American negotiations on higher level, as second item for agenda.

2. Wang said if both sides share sincere desire for peaceful settlement Sino-American disputes there should not be any difficulty in speedily reaching agreement on these subjects. However, US side on October 8 proposed both sides first make announcement renouncing use force. Our side submitted on Oct. 27 draft stating that in accordance provisions UN Charter we agree settle disputes by peaceful means without resort threat or use force.

3. Wang said, in order realize this common desire, his draft stated two countries decided hold Foreign Ministers conference to settle question relaxing and eliminating tension in Taiwan area.

4. Wang said this draft should certainly have been acceptable to both sides. Nevertheless, US side rejected it and was not ready to accept concrete step provided in this draft which foresaw imminent holding Foreign Ministers meeting.

5. Wang said, again in order expedite progress, PRC side has made another effort. On December 1 put forward new draft on agreed announcement. It provided that PRC and US are determined that they should settle disputes through peaceful negotiations without resort threat or use force, and added that two Ambassadors should continue talks to seek practical and feasible means for realizing this common desire.

6. Wang said his new draft had taken views US side into account and incorporated all points which already agreed on or might be agreeable. I had admitted I recognized this as encouraging progress. Hence it evident both sides should speedily reach agreement based on his new draft.

7. Wang said, however, for last three meetings US side has thus far failed make known any concrete views on this draft. As result we have not been able carry on discussions and reach agreement on his new draft.

8. Wang said, in last few meetings not only not been discussion his draft but also have been no preparations for Foreign Ministers meeting nor any progress in making bilateral statement which was first pressed for by US. US side must shoulder full responsibility for such unsatisfactory situation.

9. Wang said since talks entered into second phase of agenda, US side has been dragging out talks. At first meeting following conclusion agreement on civilians item, US side announced that before implementation of first announcement complete it would be premature to enter into discussion other matters. It precisely that unreasonable attitude which has deferred progress in talks.

10. Wang said subsequently when US unable avoid getting along into item two, it again continually kept thrusting implementation of first agreed announcement into discussions, in deliberate attempt to entangle talks and obstruct progress.

11. Wang said lately US side went step further by making groundless charges that PRC side has not fully implemented agreed announcement, while at same time refusing implement. That is deliberate attempt defeat any concrete outcome talks. At our last meeting he had already brought out that PRC side has all along been faithfully implementing, and it was none other than US side which not only not implementing, but had acted in deliberate violation agreed announcement.

12. Wang said thus far US side not yet furnished PRC with names and information on all Chinese in US, while of those Chinese who US admitted had desired return but had long been prevented from returning [garble] there still many who not been permitted return.

13. Wang said US has never given PRC side any accounting of Chinese imprisoned in US nor adopted any appropriate measures in regard them.

14. Wang said I had stated that Indian Embassy had made no representations concerning the disability of any Chinese to depart, however, actual fact is that US side has completely refused offer any assistance to Indian Embassy permitting it take initiative to learn about Chinese in US and take measures help them. Result is that Indian Embassy not been in position to fully carry out its functions.

15. Wang said moreover US side is posing further threats to Chinese students in US by requiring them obtain entry permits Taiwan as condition their temporary stay in US, so that in future they will not dare ask return mainland. Such is outright contradiction to undertakings of US side by which it announced “US recognizes that Chinese in US who desire return PRC are entitled do so, and declares that it has adopted and will further adopt appropriate measures so they can expeditiously exercise their right to return.”

16. Wang said this action by US side has grave consequences. He asked that US side give consideration point he had raised, make satisfactory answer to it.

17. Wang said December 16 statement by State Dept. while attempting deny this gross violation agreed announcement even made allegation about Americans in China being subject cruel and inhuman treatment. He could only express indignation at such charges. Such charges do not have shred of factual basis since Americans who been imprisoned in China have repudiated these charges. If one to talk about cruel and inhuman treatment, it none other than American side which guilty of this, by preventing for long period return of Chinese to homeland and their reunion with their families.

18. Wang said it none but US which guilty cruel inhuman treatment for, after persecuting threatening Chinese in US it has now come out in outright breach of agreed announcement by adopting measures against them. There many cases of Chinese whose mental state put out of order as result protracted threats and persecution against them by US Government. There are such cases among Chinese who returned to China recently.

19. Wang said it is distortion of agreement to allege that there is no distinction between ordinary Americans in China and those who have committed offenses in China.

20. Wang said he would like frankly point out it is not possible for PRC side or for anyone who sincerely concerned with Sino-American talks to tolerate charges which reverse merits of matter and drag out talks. Wang said PRC side asks that talks should without further delay get down to discussion of making announcement on basis their new draft so as to reach agreement thereon.

21. I then presented prepared statement as follows:

A. Before taking up any other matters this morning, I desire express my satisfaction at release of Dr. Bradshaw and news that both he and Mrs. Bradshaw have now arrived Hong Kong. I would hope that this action your government portends early release fourteen Americans still remaining in prison your country, thus removing not only this source dispute and controversy between us here but also removing continuing impediment to improvement relations between our two countries.

B. I regret note that in spite of fact that at our last meeting I most earnestly urged your government not issue public statement concerning substance our discussions here regarding our agreed announcement September 10, your government, nevertheless, issued such statement. As I pointed out at our last meeting, it is difficult for me understand how your government can consider that such statements contribute to real progress in our talks here. Such public debate can only exacerbate our differences and in no way can contribute to their solution. I have in past, and hope in future fully and openly discuss our differences here with intent do my best resolve them or arrive at greatest possible degree common understanding. I still hold view that place for these discussions is in our meetings here rather than by our two governments exchanging public statements. Action of your government making such statement of course compelled my government make reply. Position my government with respect to carrying out of agreed announcement of September 10 set forth in that reply which was issued by Department of State December 16.

C. I then said as far as cruel and inhuman treatment concerned, facts in case Mrs. Bradshaw speak for themselves. In December 1950 this woman along with her husband applied for exit permits. These refused and in February 1951 she and her husband arrested. At time she entered prison, she in normal health. Three and half years later she released completely broken in body and mind. In spite this, more than another [omission in the original] passed before authority given her leave.

D. I said Wang statement this morning again raised question concerning agreed announcement he had raised at previous meetings. These questions bear no relationship to carrying out of September 10 agreement. Unlike questions I had raised which bear directly on agreed announcement, his questions are extraneous thereto. I had thoroughly covered this ground in last few meetings. In spite of Wang’s apparent desire lead us down side road in discussing these extraneous issues, I have no desire go over ground already covered. Particularly in last few meetings I had carefully and in detail gone into these questions. Statement appeared entirely ignore what I said previously. I had no intention pursue this subject this morning.

E. I said that as for other aspects Wang’s statement, I had tried point out relationship between carrying out agreed announcement and confidence that must be established in regard to our other subjects. I had said many times that my discussion this subject not motivated by desire delay talks but by desire expedite them.

F. I said in regard to question of embargo I had still not received answers to questions I asked many weeks ago.

G. I said in view of imminent Christmas and New Year holidays and common practice with respect international meeting during that period, I suggest that we hold our next meeting January 12. I would hope at that meeting it will be possible to renew our progress toward reaching agreement on joint statement with respect renunciation force. I would expect at that meeting to be in position make further comments in regard to your December 1 draft, as well as to make definite proposals concerning amendments thereto that we would consider desirable.

22. Wang replied that on Monday he had sent letter stating at today’s meeting we should give emphasis discussion on agreed announcement on renunciation of force. He regretted that in my statement this morning I had again failed put forward concrete opinions concerning new draft of December 1 of PRC side. He could not consider this satisfactory.

23. Wang said this fact shed light on attitude of US, which aimed at dragging out talks. Purpose of present talks is try resolve conflicts of policy between two countries. Existing conflicts of policy as well as tension Taiwan area are posing serious threat international peace. That is why world public focussing attention on developments Sino-American talks.

24. Wang said he had to point out that after forty days of discussion of item one, we finally reached successful agreement that item. But 100 days have passed since entering into discussion of more important questions, yet we still find ourselves no closer to progress. Cause for lack progress this respect entirely due to delaying attitude on part of US concerning item 2.

25. Wang said he believed this state of affairs will surely disappoint world public opinion and also American opinion. What American people want is friendly relations between Chinese and American people advantageous both people.

26. Wang said proposal for renunciation of force statement originated with US side. New draft put forward by PRC side December 1 fully meets points of view and requirements both sides. It seemed to him issuance of such announcement would be first step for relaxing tension between our two countries. He is surprised to find we have been delayed such a protracted time over this question. Although his side has plenty of patience, such waiting would naturally have a limit.

27. Wang said he noted my statement that I would be able present concrete views at next meeting on this question. He also noted that I had expressed hope that it would be possible for us make progress at that meeting.

28. Wang said “I should say that that would be the last opportunity for us to reach an agreement on basis our new draft. We can permit no further delay. Otherwise we will be compelled to make public the proceedings of our discussions on the second item of our agenda and leave it to public opinion for judgment. We cannot afford to endure indefinite delay in this respect.”

[29.] Wang said I had expressed hope that discussion between us would not be made public but would be confined to conference room. Since beginning of series of talks, PRC side has maintained that spirit. However, two points must be taken into consideration. First, neither side should be allowed to make public statements outside of meetings. Second, unreserved and frank exchange of opinion at meetings should be directed toward resolving questions and making progress rather than dragging on indefinitely.

30. Wang said as far as last public statement his side concerned, he had pointed out at last meeting it was necessitated by fact US official quarters, including Secretary of State Dulles, openly made charges alleging PRC side not implementing agreed announcement. These charges and accusations had no factual basis, hence his side compelled set forth truth of matter to public in formal statement. From this truth world public can see which side is carrying out agreement and which is purposely violating it. All this has been set forth clearly in last public statement PRC side and again in his statement this morning. He had already set forth explicitly views his side in this regard and had nothing further to add.

31. Wang said in regard to my proposal to hold next meeting January 12, he wondered if I would be agreeable to make it January 6.

32. I replied I was disturbed at his use of such phrases as “last chance” and “last opportunity” concerning our talks here. I could only interpret his remarks as a threat and was certain that negotiations were not helped by threats of that kind. I hoped he did not mean it the way it sounded. I was perfectly willing for public to judge on basis of facts concerning our discussions. However I did not see how exchange of public statements would help progress.

33. I said I was also surprised he would purport to speak for American people. I believed I was in position to do that. However, I did agree that American people desired improve relations between our two countries. I had tried to point out during meetings effect on our relations and talks of Americans still imprisoned his country.

34. I said I thought part of difficulty of present situation is lack of complete understanding concerning meaning of first agreement reached between us. At time that agreement reached, I had tried my very best obtain common understanding of words in agreement, particularly word “expeditiously.” However, Wang not willing reach such understanding with me. This points up and emphasises need of full understanding in any other agreements we may reach. In that spirit I have been trying to discuss matters with Wang.

35. I said that as I had stated this morning, I proposed next meeting be January 12. At that meeting I would expect to be in position to make further comments concerning Wang’s December 1 draft and make suggestions concerning amendments we would consider desirable. My government was continuing its study of draft and of entire matter. I did not expect to be in position to give our views until January 12 because of interposition of Christmas and New Years holidays.

36. I said magnitude and delicacy of question is such I did not see what could be gained by forcing pace of discussion. Wang himself had said question under discussion is most serious. World and our own peoples are more interested in solidity of agreement than in speed. We should certainly not attempt sacrifice solidity and satisfactoriness of agreements to speed. I felt it would be more satisfactory of Wang would agree to January 12 for our next meeting.

37. Wang replied we were now seeking ways and means for settlement of conflicts between our two countries. If both sides sincere, 100 days would certainly have been enough to get something out of discussions. It cannot be claimed we did not have enough time. I would be able to see how patient PRC side has been.

38. Wang said I had referred to terms such as threats. He could not accept such terms. PRC side has no intent of threats against US. In fact PRC side feels all along it is being threatened. Also it would not agree to let discussions be dragged out when sufficient time exists to achieve results.

39. Wang said as I had stated, he did not have least intent speak on behalf of American people. He was only expressing view that interests of people of whole world were identical and American people of course are included. That is to say, friendly relations between China and US conform to interests of Chinese people and also of American people.

40. Wang said I had said American people still concerned over 13 Americans imprisoned in China. But he must point out also that Chinese people in same way are not only concerned over tens of thousands of Chinese residents in US but also over eight million Chinese people in Taiwan. This is something which must be taken into consideration in discussing problems between us.

41. Wang said he noted my explanation of proposal to meet January 12. He wondered whether it would be agreeable to set next meeting tentatively for January 6 and then to consider whether it would be desirable to extend recess. After consideration, if there should be an alteration in tentative schedule, he would inform us in written form.

42. I replied that I could not give assurances that I would be able discuss December 1 draft until January 12.

43. Wang said it appeared two weeks recess is still not sufficient time for me.

44. I said I could not give assurances I would be able discuss December 1 draft before January 12. If Wang thought it would be useful to meet before that date, I would certainly consider it. I suggested we announce next meeting for January 12. If prior to that time, developments made it desirable to meet, either side could get in touch with other.

45. Wang agreed to this proposal.

46. I suggested and Wang agreed we announce to the press that next meeting will be January 12 in view of Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Gowen

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/12–2255. Confidential; Limited Distribution.