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

493. Telegram 1512 from Geneva¹

Geneva, February 18, 1956, 8 p.m.

1512. From Johnson.

Comments today’s meeting.

1. Nothing particularly noteworthy to add about today’s meeting except that atmosphere even easier than last meeting. From full record Department will note that Wang gave no signs of impatience and that I did my best to contribute to business like attitude and keep discussion to text declaration. However, there was no sign of any change whatever in their attitude toward self defense clause.

2. With respect implementation he senses he may have struck soft spot with regard imprisoned Chinese and is pressing it to maximum. Would appreciate Department’s instructions as to what if anything further it believes I could usefully say this regard next meeting.

3. Department will also note details our exchange re Liu Yung-ming medical records. Would appreciate instructions this regard for next meeting. Spite their attitude on this case I feel we have nothing lose something gain by making response their request to extent hospital able and willing.

4. His response on missing military personnel was as expected but I hope our exchange will expedite some reply in MAC. His thought that I was linking this with Chinese prisoners in US was understandable in context meeting and I thought it well immediately correct any implication we prepared give them list imprisoned Chinese in exchange their accounting for missing military personnel.

Shillock

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