853. Telegram 510 from Geneva1
510. From Johnson.
One hour fifty minute meeting this morning.
I opened with strong statement along lines paras 1, 2 and 3 Deptel 557, closing with statement on my transfer and designation of Martin.
Wang closely questioned me on designation Martin “as to whether U.S. was purposely changing level of Ambassadorial talks” and [Typeset Page 1463] therefore “nature” of talks. I replied along lines para 4 Deptel 546 and Wang said would have to consult government. When, in reply my statement answer should be addressed Martin, he insisted reply only to me, I emphasized that as of close meeting today Martin was U.S. representative. He rejected my suggestion announcement be made concerning date next meeting and we finally agreed on announcement, that we had held 73rd meeting today and Ambassadors “stated an announcement would subsequently be made concerning the next meeting”.
He made proposal for agreed announcement on judicial assistance on basis “equality and reciprocity” and therefore “governments of two countries decided to appoint experts to start negotiations on substance and concrete arrangements of an agreement on judicial assistance between the two countries”. In original presentation and give and take laid heavy emphasis on fact U.S. District Court an instrumentality of U.S. Government had made request to PRC Ministry of Justice.
[Facsimile Page 2]I, of course, rejected along lines paragraph 5 Deptel 557. He indicated they will issue public statement on this.
Full text draft agreed announcement on judicial assistance by separate telegram.
Full report of meeting being pouched Friday.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/12–1257. Confidential; Niact; Limit Distribution.↩