Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXX, China

112. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to the Under Secretary of State (Ball)¹

Washington, December 4, 1965.

SUBJECT

• Proposed New Policy Initiatives for December 15 Warsaw Meeting

1. At the December 15 Warsaw meeting we propose to give the Chinese Communists clear warning of our intention to intensify our efforts in Vietnam with full realization of the possible consequences. To balance this strong warning we propose to say that it is incumbent upon both sides to take some steps away from a direct confrontation in the direction of a peaceful settlement. We propose to tell the Chinese that we are taking certain unilateral steps in this direction.

2. We suggest that present U.S. policy be modified to allow for the following new initiatives:

a. We would state our readiness to admit Chinese journalists to the United States without reciprocity. Our present policy is to issue validated passports to American newsmen and to press for either a formal or informal agreement on the exchange of newsmen. We have asked the Chinese Communists for such an exchange since 1959. Our efforts to secure an exchange are well known as is the Chinese refusal to agree. The offer to allow Chinese Communist journalists to come to the United States would almost certainly be rejected by the Communists, but when it became known we believe that this step would be welcomed by the American press community and the public as evidence of our desire to bring about an eventual exchange. In the unlikely event that the Chinese did accept such an acceptance would signal a major change in Peking’s attitude towards the United States. We would not plan to publicize this offer until some time after the meeting.

b. Provided our travel package on doctors and scientists in the fields of public health and medicine is cleared in time for the talks, we propose telling the Chinese of the new travel regulations² and informing them of our willingness to allow Chinese doctors and scientists in the same fields to come to the United States as a reciprocal aspect of such a move. While we do not plan to publicize this reciprocal aspect, we envisage at some point it will have to be made clear that we would have no objection to reciprocal visits on the part of the Chinese. We are virtually certain that the Chinese under their present policy will reject visits of Americans and will refuse to allow Chinese to come to the United States.

c. We propose suggesting to the Chinese that we jointly examine their charges of air and sea violations of their territory and attacks on Chinese vessels on the high seas. If the Chinese were to accept, which is possible but unlikely, we would plan to examine with them in Warsaw each new charge. We would not plan to publicize this suggestion. It is unlikely the Chinese would reveal it to the press. If they did, it would enhance our own image of reason and responsibility.

3. I believe that these moves are important to indicate to the Chinese that we still seek to avoid a major confrontation. The moves suggested will not be interpreted as a sign of weakness since our power position in the Far East is steadily growing. But if the Chinese eventually decide to look for a way out, this approach may ease the way.

4. In the event we wish to make public the record of this talk, it would prove that we warned the Chinese of the dangers of a major confrontation and that we took several unilateral steps to hold out the possibility of an alternate solution.

5. Additionally, I believe that we should maintain a policy of firmness but transfer to Peking the opprobrium of being intransigent and hostile. Chinese rejection of the U.S. moves proposed above would serve to isolate them still further from world opinion.

6. Clearances for these three proposals have been obtained in draft from P, L, SCA, CU and SCI and are shown on the attached telegram.

7. The telegram containing instructions for the Warsaw talks is attached (Tab B) for your approval.³ It may be advisable to send the instructions for attached translation purposes before a decision is reached on the policy decisions listed above. In the telegram, you will note that it is recommended:

1. That you approve a modification in present policy to permit Ambassador Gronouski to say that we will allow Chinese Communist journalists to visit the United States without an exchange agreement.

2. That you authorize Ambassador Gronouski to affirm our willingness to allow Chinese doctors and scientists in the fields of public health and medicine to come to the United States as a reciprocal aspect of our move to permit similar professional men to travel to mainland China.

3. That you authorize Ambassador Gronouski to suggest to the Chinese Communists that we jointly investigate their charges of air and sea violations of their territories and attacks on Chinese vessels on the high seas.⁴

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL CHICOM-US. Confidential. Drafted by Dean.
2. On December 29 the Department of State announced the relaxation of travel controls to permit doctors and scientists in the fields of public health and medicine to travel to countries under travel restrictions for purposes directly related to their professional responsibilities. For the text of the announcement, see Department of State Bulletin, January 17, 1966, p. 90.
3. The draft telegram, not attached, was sent to Warsaw as telegram 863, December 10. It stated that it was an uncleared preliminary draft and that final approval would be sent subsequently. (Department of State, Central Files, POL CHICOM-US) Telegram 873 to Warsaw, December 11, cleared by McGeorge Bundy, approved the instructions in telegram 863 with some revisions. (Ibid.)
4. The source text bears no indication of approval or disapproval.