60. Letter from Johnson to McConaughy1
This is just a very brief note to let you know that after I arrived here I discovered there is only one pouch a week. For this reason I have covered things more fully than I otherwise would by telegram. It is also undoubtedly for this reason I have as yet received nothing from you. It therefore appears that our plan to keep in close touch by informal correspondence is not of much use as far as short range matters are concerned.
I realize my volume of telegraphic correspondence is very heavy, particularly the record of the meetings. However, I felt it important that all of you know exactly what is being said and pouch service is too slow to be of any practical use. I have followed the practice of attempting to give you the highlights by priority message as soon as we come back from each meeting and then sending the more complete record by following message. I know that during the Korean armistice I found this most helpful. However, if you have any other suggestions or would prefer we further condense the record of the meetings, please let me know.
As I have indicated in my messages, I feel very satisfied with the situation and feel my instructions have enabled me to keep on top of it.
Ed Martin has been of tremendous help and has greatly added to whatever effectiveness I have had. I greatly appreciate the sacrifice he has so cheerfully made as well as you and Walter making him available. I have sent a message on my need for a junior officer when he leaves. In addition to [Facsimile Page 2] the record of the meetings I receive a quite heavy volume of correspondence which requires replies and there are many other such chores.
Due to the Atomic Conference we are in very crowded quarters although the Consulate General has done its very best. They were successful in getting me a sitting room which has been very useful for meeting people and doing some of our work. They supplied me with a most excellent secretary who the three of us have very badly overloaded but I am hoping our volume of secretarial work will not remain at its present level.
I was sorry not to be able to comply with the suggestion that I go back to Prague last weekend, but it appeared to me here unthinkable at this time. However, I have that part of my instructions [illegible in the original] [Typeset Page 68] in mind and in fact desire to take maximum advantage [illegible in the original] for personal as well as official reasons.
I am very happy to see the press beginning to desist and believe we are now getting down to the point we should be. The Secretary’s last press conference was very helpful in this regard.
I have continued to shy away from a press backgrounder as it would immediately be known to Wang and I feared it would entirely break down the agreement on secrecy. I also feared it would also encourage the high-powered group of correspondents who had gathered here to stay on. However, I have been giving them individually a little more than previously to offset what the Chinese have been putting out. The Chinese leaks have been very indirect from a Chinese correspondent to the Humanité correspondent to a non-communist French correspondent. In the last few days I have particularly been putting out the line that the central issue has been and remains the release of Americans.
Regards to all.
Sincerely,
American Ambassador
- Source: Department of State, Geneva Talks Files, Lot 72D415. Confidential; Official–Informal. Johnson signed the original “Alex.” A handwritten note on the letter indicates it was received on August 15.↩