685. Telegram 71 from Geneva1
71. From Johnson.
Three-hour five minute meeting this morning mostly on renunciation. While Wang renewed his proposal move to trade and made few general remarks thereon, he didn’t press hard and discussion revolved around renunciation along familiar lines. This phase meeting closed on inconclusive note with Wang stating progress depended on US putting forward constructive opinion and my characterizing obstacle as lack willingness PRC give up threat use force Taiwan area.
After I made opening statement on renunciation Wang made fairly extensive reply ending with proposal move to “discussion concrete measures lifting trade embargo.” I replied thereto with renewal discussion on renunciation but weaving in points para 3 and 4 Deptel 60. While Wang made few general remarks on lack justification for embargo which “outstanding issue which hinders normal development relations” permitted himself to be led back into discussion renunciation and remainder phase this meeting kept that subject.
I made long statement on implementation covering points contained para one Deptel 60 tying it back to his previous statements on necessity talks be advantageous both sides and characterizing results agreed announcement as one-sided disadvantage to US. Wang replied along usual lines, only thing new being reference to “recent move by US try to send Chinese in US in prison to Taiwan” but without directly [Facsimile Page 2] referring to letter to prisoners.
I proposed next meeting Tuesday August 2. Wang countered with suggestion Thursday August 9 to which I agreed.
Departing Prague Friday morning.
Note: Advance copy to Mr. Waddell (FE) 7/26/56, 3:15 p.m. LWH.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/7–2656. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩