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

492. Telegram 1509 from Geneva¹

Geneva, February 18, 1956, 3 p.m.

1509. From Johnson.

1. Three hour forty five minute meeting today. No progress whatever.

2. I developed theme of paragraphs two, three, Department’s 1619, taking increasingly explicit position that proper interpretation self-defense clause is simply that each side is, on own behalf, making clear that declaration is made without prejudice to what it considers its inherent right individual collective self-defense, and does not in any way require other side recognize or accept merits of claims.

3. Wang entirely failed meet my point this regard, confined self to reiterating previous positions, however with intimation of plea we offer reformulation self-defense clause.

4. Wang took initiative on implementation, confining self to and pressing hard on Chinese in United States prisons, their alleged lack information about agreed announcement, et cetera. Alleged we had refused Indian request transmit text announcement to imprisoned Chinese.

5. I replied by reiterating previous position on no Chinese being obstructed in return and contrasted situation 13 Americans.

Shillock

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/2–1856. Confidential; Niact; Limit Distribution.