9. Telegram 330 to Geneva1
330. For 8 a.m. Delivery to Ambassador Johnson.
Re your telephone report following first meeting, we are keenly aware difficulty your position. We will endeavor to reduce correspondents’ pressure on you at Secretary’s Press Conference tomorrow. We suggest that you immediately hold backgrounder for American press, at which you would put your mission in perspective and indicate nature, scope and limitations of Geneva talks. You are authorized in your discretion to follow the general line of your instructions, without, of course, identifying anything as comprising your instructions. Naturally you will not divulge anything which would prejudice your bargaining position.
You should vigorously press Wang Ping-nan for explicit understanding that nothing on discussions will be released without mutual agreement. For obvious reasons, caution advised in use trans-Atlantic telephone.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–155. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by McConaughy; cleared in substance by McCardle and Dulles.↩