184. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Poland0
440. Beam–Wang Talks. Following is guidance for 81st meeting:
Chinese Communist announcement extending ceasefire another two weeks seems indicate Communists may not soon resume intensive attack on offshores. It also reflects Chinese Communist determination, as did Wang’s presentation 80th meeting,1 prevent internationalization of dispute, which would inevitably produce “solutions” to crisis unacceptable to Peiping. Recent efforts “Bandung powers” in GA to draft resolution on Taiwan crisis brought sharp reaction from Chinese Communists who demanded all or nothing support their position (Deptel 441).2 Peiping’s present strategy probably to let uneasy de facto truce develop, making no constructive moves itself to reduce tension and anticipation that world opinion and US’ own desire avoid repetition of crisis will cause US to exert pressures on GRC that will weaken GRC position, strain US-GRC relations, and provide opportunities for Communist exploitation. Your efforts at next meeting should therefore be directed at demonstrating that with cessation of hostilities now essential to begin meaningful negotiations with the objective of reducing provocations and harassments on both sides.
Your presentation should be along following lines: From the beginning US has taken position that when shooting stopped in the Taiwan area, meaningful negotiations could be carried on. It is encouraging development—welcomed by US and rest of world—that suspension of hostilities is being continued, whatever the reason. At this time there is no shooting in the Taiwan area nor is there any convoying by US of GRC vessels. All of this creates the necessary conditions for real negotiation.
Thus far only suggestions advanced by Wang have involved complete withdrawal US forces from Taiwan area, leaving ally GRC to be dealt with by Chinese Communists, by force if necessary. For US to [Page 398] comply with such demands would involve unconditional surrender to Chinese Communists, including abandonment faithful ally and repudiation collective security treaty. Demand for such unconditional surrender is not negotiation but rather ultimatum.
On other hand, US has suggested a number of alternative suggestions of discussion which, if taken up, could lead to fruitful negotiation. As first step, US suggested that the Chinese Communists should detail provocative activities or harassment of which it complains, in order to explore possibility reciprocal cessation such activities. US also suggested that it is prepared to seek solution existing dispute by negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration or judicial settlement. US has also suggested reciprocal measures of restraint from harassment and provocations in area Quemoy Islands and Matsu Islands which could include reciprocal reduction forces and armaments.
Up to now, Wang’s only response has been to repeat demand for US withdrawal from Taiwan area—in other words, unconditional surrender and abandonment ally GRC, contrary to treaty commitment. More than this is needed for meaningful negotiation. Now that conditions are propitious for such negotiations, which of the suggested lines of discussion raised by the US will Wang pursue. In the alternative, does Wang have any constructive suggestions of his own. Now is the time to make them.
If, as seems likely, Wang again attempts to distinguish between internal and international questions, reply along following lines: No amount of sophistry can conceal fact that one of the issues between US and Chinese Communists is latter’s insistence upon extending area over which Chinese Communists exercise control by force of arms. True no shots now being exchanged between US and Chinese Communists, but whole world fully aware of grave danger of extension hostilities in Taiwan area unless problem area can be resolved through peaceful means rather than by force. US fully aware Chinese Communists’ contentions but no amount words can erase from existence GRC in control substantial territory having 10,000,000 inhabitants. Immediate problem is elimination threat to peace in Taiwan area and threat to international peace in any area is matter of international concern. Principle of reciprocity included in all US proposed announcements. That is practical way to insure that measures will in fact lessen and ultimately eliminate all provocations and harassments. If Chinese representative genuinely seeks relaxation of tension in Taiwan area, he should now make substantive reply designed to reduce such tensions rather than repeat unyielding demand for unconditional surrender.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/10–1358. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Becker, Martin, and Lutkins; cleared in draft by Dulles, Becker, Parsons, and Green, in substance with OSD, and with S/S; and approved by Martin. Repeated to USUN for Lodge and to Taipei.↩
- On October 10; see Document 175.↩
- Telegram 441 to Warsaw, October 13, informed the Embassy that on October 5, Chen Yi had summoned the Asian and African chiefs of mission in Peking and, referring to a General Assembly resolution being drafted by the Bandung powers, set forth the PRCs requirements for such a resolution; he had stated that the PRC was in “no hurry” and “not interested” in mediation. The Bandung powers had subsequently dropped the projected resolution. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/10–1358; see Supplement)↩