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

497. Telegram 1663 to Geneva¹

Washington, February 21, 1956, 7:11 p.m.

1663. For Johnson.

Guidance for February 24 meeting.

1. Continue to affirm established US position both on renunciation force and implementation Agreed Announcement of September 10. Further repetition is necessary in present situation and you need not hesitate employ it. It is incumbent upon Chinese Communists to act both on our draft proposal on renunciation of force and on implementation Agreed Announcement. In absence new move by Wang, we must continue press our strong case for immediate affirmative action by Chinese Communists in both fields.

2. Draw attention to frequent Communist statements last meeting which dealt with substance disagreement between US and Communists in Taiwan area, such as “US has used force against Taiwan and has attacked China,” and Communists “have full right to expel present occupation of Taiwan by US forces.” Point out all these are one-sided Communist contentions which demonstrably false and involve the very points at issue between us. Problem at this stage is not to debate these contentions, but simply for each side to declare that it will not use force to impose its will.

3. Remind Communists that latest revision renunciation of force declaration was presented by US in effort arrive at acceptable formulation.

4. Remind Communists that we presented list detained Americans at outset of talks and that thirteen these Americans still held in Communist jails, despite Communist pledge September 10 take appropriate measures so they could return expeditiously. We did not demand or use any Chinese Communist list of Americans nor did we at any time agree to provide any list Chinese in US. Such demands are beyond scope Agreed Announcement. Latter provided that civilians both sides entitled return and that individual who believed he was being obstructed might appeal to representative of third power. US has scrupulously carried out all its commitments contained in Agreed Announcement including provision for wide publicity in US. No case of individual claiming obstruction has been brought to US Government’s attention by Indian Embassy or anyone else, despite publicity given Announcement. Specific US obstruction alleged by Wang regarding only one of thirty-one Chinese named in recent Communist lists and information given this case so meager that US government unable trace or identify. Other names obviously supplied as part of propaganda effort to gloss over Communist failure carry out their part Agreed Announcement and to hide from world unpalatable fact that most Chinese in US do not wish to return Communist China. (FYI Believe position outlined above will be sufficient reply to Communist pressure for information regarding Chinese in prisons and names Wang has submitted. No Chinese alien in prison has applied for repatriation and we do not wish to open up any hypothetical question in this regard. Discussion could prejudice release imprisoned Americans, even though latter held on political rather than ordinary felony charges and their desire for repatriation not disputed. END FYI)

5. Inform Communists US Government will inquire whether Liu Yung-ming hospital records available and supply if possible. Request Communists supply similar records for Wilma Bradshaw and Dilmus Kanady who both suffering from mental illness at time release.

6. This guidance not yet seen by Secretary who returns to Washington 22nd. In absence supplementary instructions on 23rd you may assume his concurrence.

Hoover

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/2–2156. Secret; Priority; Limited Distribution. Drafted by Clough and McConaughy; cleared in draft by Phleger.