65. Telegram 417 from Geneva1
417. From Johnson. Re Deptel [Embtel] 364 and reports on today’s meeting.
As I see situation question of principle is one difficult for me to pursue further since substantially all Americans are being detained on pretext crimes and claims. CHICOMS have consistently claimed they adhere to principle all Americans free depart unless have committed crimes or have civil claims pending against them. On one hand I cannot argue principle we willing permit Chinese depart even if they have committed crimes and on other have been trying avoid being drawn into fruitless morass of discussing CHICOM justice with them. Therefore I have been attempting keep discussion within framework practical situations.
Today’s meeting makes clear that CHICOM asking price for further action on release Americans is representation arrangement. Present CHICOM position asking US for performance on representation arrangement in return for promise on Americans is clearly unacceptable.
However problem we will be facing is how many Americans we insist on in return representation arrangement. I have up to this time and will as long as it seems useful talk in terms “all Americans” although in context give and take at today’s meeting I left door open for something short of that.
[Facsimile Page 2]Do not feel we will obtain release any further Americans prior to agreement on representation but that we should strive for simultaneous announcement release Americans with announcement agreement on representation.
At Saturday’s meeting I plan again to press Wang on release Americans possibly obliquely suggesting simultaneous announcement as mentioned above and argue against broadening our suggested arrangement on representation.
Would appreciate Dept’s preliminary reactions to Wang’s “draft agreement”.
NOTE: Reference believed to be EMBTEL 364 from Geneva. Mr. Waddell’s office (FE) notified 8/11/55 5:24 p.m. EMB CWO
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–1155. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩