688. Telegram 76 from Geneva1
76. From Johnson.
Comments today’s meeting.
Dept will note Wang’s performance today seemed to be a “marking time” operation, and he did not object to leaving situation with respect to discussion renunciation and embargo in somewhat vague state. However believe his tactic may well be attempt build up for eventual use public position along lines Chou’s Peoples Congress speech, that is US purpose is indefinite prolongation talks so as avoid discussion of and maintain status quo Taiwan area, and unless PRC gets something out of prolongation no point continuing. Therefore while making our points with respect embargo discussion attempted at today’s meeting avoid giving him any firm handle which he could grab as flat refusal even discuss embargo.
[Typeset Page 1122]Do not now have any recommendations with respect next meeting other than to follow our tactics at today’s meeting reiterating positions as appropriate. Position with respect implementation will of course be somewhat dependent on results O’Neill’s efforts see Americans and developments with respect Chinese prisoners in US.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/7–2756. Secret; Limit Distribution.↩