755. Telegram 562 from Geneva1
562. From Johnson.
ReDeptel 581 consider draft statement excellent and have no substantive changes to suggest.
As minor points offer following suggestions for alternative language:
- (1)
- Substitute “unless” for “until” in first sentence so as conform text Deptel 532,
- (2)
- Substitution following for second sentence:
“Ambassador Johnson told Ambassador Wang US ready and willing settle practical and fundamental matters at issue in Ambassadorial talks which had been accepted as appropriate forum by both sides; under present circumstances, of manifest unwillingness Chinese Communists to settle issues, meeting at Foreign Ministers level neither appropriate or acceptable”. While I see no objection to Department’s language foregoing revision conforms somewhat closer and amplifies rationale I have used in meetings.
- (3)
- Deletion of “claims he” last sentence fourth paragraph. This might be somewhat safer way of making same point until we see what public comment Indians may make to show they have been active in performance agreed announcement functions.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/11–2856. Confidential; Limit Distribution.↩