601. Telegram 1870 from Geneva1
Geneva, May 11, 1956, 2
p.m.
1870. From Johnson.
- 1.
- Wang opened this morning’s meeting by presentation draft previously transmitted Dept together with relatively brief statement which did nothing to clarify its obvious ambiguities.
- 2.
- I avoided any specific comment and asked series of questions designed to clarify its ambiguities. I specifically asked in what way draft avoided prejudicing U.S. position; whether second para. intentionally excluded disputes other than those Taiwan area; whether “two months” in last para. was intended limit validity declaration to that period; whether last para. as whole meant that FonMin conference was “only practical and feasible means”; and whether “to make specific arrangements” referred to “practical and feasible means” or to FonMin conference.
- 3.
- He avoided any direct response my first question, saying that mutual respect clause was not only “common sense” but—“also” to be found in UN Charter. In reply to second question he indicated that limiting to Taiwan area dispute was deliberate because my emphasis on Taiwan area and since if settlement that most critical dispute could be effected without war other disputes would present no problem. His replies to my questions on last para. were completely evasive. However “very willing hear any ideas or suggestions” I may have.
- 4.
- At close of this phase referring to his statements on “procrastination” and our seeking “freeze” situation in Taiwan area, I pointed out talks had not made further progress because of their ambiguous position thus far on renouncing force.
- 5.
- I made statement on implementation along lines para. 3 Deptel 1943 to which I replied along usual lines stressing that last December they had asked for accounting Chinese in U.S. prisons, who, I could not deny, desired return China, and we had no right inquire concerning Americans in Chinese prisons until we made such accounting.
- 6.
- Next meeting Thursday May 17.
- 7.
- Proceeding Prague Saturday returning Geneva Tuesday.
Gowen
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/5–1156. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩