720. Telegram 302 from Geneva1
302. From Johnson.
Comments today’s meeting:
Wang’s proposal on what he orally termed “human contacts” and cultural exchange today continues their pattern of attempting to build up public record of “sweet reasonableness” in talks being frustrated along lines Chou’s People’s Congress speech. Can presume they will in due course follow same pattern as with trade proposal, that is, make public release after we have refused discuss. However anticipate they may somewhat step up pace possibly making release following next meeting if they succeed in obtaining from me what they consider sufficiently clear-cut refusal discuss.
While refusing discuss believe it gives useful opportunity more fully develop theme I started at today’s meeting on previous treatment of Americans leading up to pressure release those still imprisoned. Department will note I also linked it to renunciation. Would appreciate guidance for next meeting on degree to which I should expressly or impliedly link travel of Americans to mainland only to release those imprisoned as implied my original instructions and Department’s August 7 press release.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/9–2256. Secret; Limit Distribution.↩