642. Telegram 741 to Taipei1
741.
1. Department believes your 1080 manifests degree of perturbation at Chinese prisoner decision which is not warranted by circumstances.
2. Chinese June 3 note of protest will be answered shortly making essentially same points enumerated below.
3. Indian Embassy will not act on behalf Chinese Communist regime or as protector interests Chinese prisoners when it interviews prisoners. It will function in collaboration with US Government merely to verify facts as to expressed wishes of prisoners regarding return to Communist China. Indian representative will be accompanied by US official. Indians will not be allowed to influence decision of prisoners and will have no repeat no function in regard to prisoners who do not voluntarily elect travel Communist China.
4. Prisoners by their confinement are protected from Chinese Communist influence and intimidation. Indian visits will not endanger them nor do visits constitute any significant extension of Indian role under Agreed Announcement.
[Typeset Page 1034]5. Under the normal operation of our Immigration laws, Chinese criminals have been deported to Communist China before and travel of [Facsimile Page 2] criminals to Communist China, if any elect to go there, will not constitute any new departure.
6. Chinese Government has regularly resisted deportation Chinese to Taiwan. In view GRC lack cooperation with INS this matter, we had assumed they would not be interested in taking these criminals. However, GRC is at liberty to receive any of them who may elect to go there, and prisoners will be given opportunity express this preference.
7. GRC was given complete list of criminals with description of sentences and addresses prisons where confined. They will of course be given access to these prisoners. US continues recognize GRC as sole protector of rights Chinese aliens including criminals. There is no change in this Government’s China policy, express or implied, actual or prospective represented in prisoner decision.
8. GRC has regularly been kept informed all significant Geneva developments. Consultation on Geneva moves has never been practiced or promised. We cannot undertake consult with GRC on moves which we are satisfied do not impair its rights and interests. We can see no reason for such marked concern on part of GRC at action of basically minor significance to its real interests as voluntary deportation of a few dozen undesirables. We are not aware any Geneva move which has prejudiced GRC rights or claims.
[Facsimile Page 3]9. Contrary to your assumption, Department has not repeat not given any publicity to prisoner decision. Leaks from unidentified sources have reached press but Department has carefully refrained from confirming rumors or lending them any credence directly or indirectly. Chinese Embassy was placed under injunction of secrecy when it was informed in advance US decision. Public comment attributed by press to Chinese Foreign Office appears to be in violation of this injunction.
10. We have obligation leave no stone unturned in our efforts obtain release our 13 imprisoned nationals. This is only promising remaining step open to us. We feel these prisoners cannot help Chinese Communist cause regardless whether they elect return or stay in prison. They are burden to any country which has them. We feel we cannot lose by confronting Chinese Communists with this act which either will result in release our maltreated nationals or further expose Chinese Communist inhumanity and failure to live up to their commitments. This we are satisfied is being accomplished without any injury to position GRC as only Chinese Government recognized by US.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/6–456. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by McConaughy; cleared by Phleger and in substance by Dulles. Repeated Priority to Geneva for Johnson as telegram 2101.↩