102. Letter From the Ambassador to Poland (Cabot) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)1

Dear Bill:

Thank you for your letter of September 102 concerning my final session at the Warsaw talks and the letters from Senator Fong and Vermont Royster.

After some consideration I decided not to suggest an informal session with Ambassador Wang Kuo-chuan because our previous relationship had been rather cold and distant. I was agreeably surprised after the meeting when he shook hands all around and wished me smooth sailing. This was the first time Wang has unbent and acted naturally in my presence. I hope he will continue to exhibit this new side in the future.

I sent David Dean to the Chinese Embassy on the day before the meeting to discuss the letters from Senator Fong and Royster. Chinese Counselor Li agreed to consider forwarding the letters. He said he would refer the matter to the appropriate authorities. Two days later Mr. Li told us that he had consulted the responsible authorities and regretfully could not accept the letters for transmission. He suggested they be mailed directly. I am enclosing memoranda of conversations for these visits.3

It seems to me that if we can maintain as reasonable a position as possible during these meetings, we may achieve a long-range educational impact, at least on those who read the transcript of the meetings in Peking. However, it appears unlikely that the Chinese will abandon their position that major matters, such as Taiwan, must be settled before minor problems can be resolved.

I hope to have a chance to discuss the talks more thoroughly with you when I return to Washington.

Sincerely yours,

John M. Cabot
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL CHICOM-US. Official-Informal; Limited Official Use.
  2. Not found.
  3. Attached but not printed.