734. Telegram 415 from Geneva1
415. From Johnson.
Two hour twenty minute meeting this morning. I opened with statement along lines para one Deptel 440 except that only stated prison authorities refused permit UK Charge representative see McCarthy, not mentioning prison official allegation McCarthy did not wish interview. (My thought was if Wang briefed on subject and made this statement would use it as point for counterattack. However during discussion it was obvious he not briefed on any details McCarthy case). He made no response my notification we were considering public statement and after extemporaneous rebuttal my opening statement along familiar lines, made prepared statement opening with sentence “talks have now come to stage where no progress can be made”. Reviewed negotiations along familiar lines and then alleged US has revealed “it deliberately blocking progress in Ambassadorial talks and is fearful of any improvement in Sino-American relations”. PRC has exerted “greatest efforts” which have not been rewarded and considers such “futile situation should not continue any longer”. PRC therefore formally proposes the holding of a Foreign Ministers conference “to discuss the questions of relaxing and eliminating tensions Taiwan area, as well as questions mutual renunciation force by China and US, lifting embargo, peoples contacts and cultural exchange, etc.” “What is at stake is the future of Sino-American relations and indeed peace of Far East and world”.
[Typeset Page 1218] [Facsimile Page 2]In reply I reviewed history their bad faith implementing first agreement and their refusal abandon use force Taiwan area as showing futility discussion at any other level. If they desired resolve these problems could be done between us as Ambassadors, if they did not desire resolve them changing level would make no difference. US would not negotiate under threat of force.
During subsequent give and take he did not attempt force any more specific reply, obviously content let matter rest here until next meeting, and subsequent discussion centered around implementation with my continuing come back to McCarthy case, PRC refusal permit third party arrangement operate absence representations Indian Embassy etc. Wang consistently took refuge in Taiwan entry permit charge.
Next meeting Friday, November 2. Returning Prague tomorrow.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/10–1856. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩