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

23. Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State¹

Warsaw, April 8, 1964, 7 p.m.

1684. Cabot-Wang Talks.² Deptel 1509.³

(1) Wang opened saying he was being recalled and this would be last meeting this series of talks in which he would participate. Wanted to review Chinese efforts over nearly nine years he has been representing his government in talks. Said his side had made five reasonable proposals for relaxation tension, on October 27 and December 1, 1955, on May 11, 1956, and on September 15 and September 22, 1958. In addition his side presented series of draft agreements designed remove obstacles to trade and travel, exchange newsmen, promote judicial systems and lifting nuclear threat from China. Today he wanted present yet one more effort his side in form of draft agreed announcement (text next following telegram).⁴ Essence is mutual agreement for peaceful co-existence, renunciation use of force against each other, and withdrawal US forces from Taiwan area. Repeated position agreements of principle must be reached before concrete issues can be solved. Accused us not only lacking sincerity in talks but throughout talks carrying on hostile acts. Enumerated these in substantially same form as in many previous meetings. Asked USG study draft carefully saying five principles conform to UN principles and should be acceptable to all peace-loving peoples.

(2) I responded with expression appreciated Wang’s personal courtesy and regret this was last meeting with him. Said his remarks, however, seemed in their contradiction to echo same differences between words and deeds noted during my Shanghai service, record of which I recently reviewed. Same twisting of facts and concealed aggressions attributed to others. Chicom record throughout had been one of aggression around perimeter of territory they hold. Said while talks not wholly fruitless certainly no spectacular results. Nonetheless peace has been preserved within measure in Far East except for aggression in Korea which was before talks started. Said I could not give categorical answer to proposal before referring my government but pointed out we could hardly renounce certain treaty responsibilities which in effect proposals called for.

(3) I continued with attack on duplicity re talk of adherence to five principles peaceful co-existence and other statements and actions expressing intention aid revolutionary movements against legitimate governments non-Communist countries. I continued with bulk of paragraphs 2, 3, 4, and 5 reference telegram⁵ with slight deletions and additions. I called particular attention last sentence Rusk quote⁶ reminding Wang we had consistently advocated renunciation force but his side would not agree.

(4) Wang attempted explain Chicom double talk by saying while they believed socialism would eventually triumph in entire world it was matter for given country to decide whether its revolution should be violent or not. No foreign country can ever concoct revolution in another country nor can revolution in given country be stopped from outside. Claimed one principle in foreign policy his government called for peaceful co-existence between countries of different social systems. Said Secretary Rusk revealed hostility toward China even in speech quoted. Said if USG willing, as Chinese Government is, practice five principles peaceful co-existence between us, he was sure we could find common ground and could have peaceful and friendly relations. Said dispute between China and US must be settled and he saw no other way except to agree on draft such as presented today.

(5) I referred to statements his authorities indicating they considered peaceful transition to socialism impossible. Bearing this out was long record trying export revolutions. This has forced on USG its policies in the Far East. Korea had led inexorably to present condition existing Taiwan Straits. Said I believed his side could stop the fighting immediately in Laos and South Vietnam if it chose.

(6) Wang quoted American constitution re right of people institute new government. Said they stand for revolution but object to export of revolution and it was USG which conducted subversion throughout world. Said they had not sent single soldier to South Vietnam. It was United States carrying on inhuman war there to convert South Vietnam into colony and in disregard Geneva agreement.

(7) I said presence North Vietnamese troops in both Laos and South Vietnam had been proved. They were there in defiance Geneva accords and with obvious Chicom connivance because supplied to substantial extent with Chinese weapons. Said their polemics with Soviets made clear their reliance on violent resolutions. Quoted from paragraph 4 CA-4523⁷ and from June 14 letter⁸ to effect it was wrong make peaceful co-existence generally line of Socialist countries.

(8) Wang said quote was correct—there was difference between opposing peaceful co-existence and in advocating it not be made general line. Point was foreign policy Socialist countries should contain something more than peaceful co-existence.

(9) Wang said it not known exactly when new Ambassador would arrive and it would take him some time to familiarize self with previous negotiations. I offered let him suggest date and accepted July 29.

Cabot

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL CHICOM-US. Confidential; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Geneva, Moscow, Stockholm, Hong Kong, and Taipei.
2. The meeting was the 120th in the series of Ambassadorial talks. Cabot commented in telegram 1686 from Warsaw, April 9. (Ibid.) He reported the meeting in detail in airgram A–900, April 9. (Ibid.)
3. Telegram 1509 to Warsaw, March 30, provided guidance for the meeting. (Ibid.)
4. Document 24.
5. Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 set forth U.S. views in general, declaring that the United States sought a lessening of tensions and that the major problem in Asia was “Peiping’s expansionist aims.” Paragraph 5 stated that Chinese nationals were free to leave the United States, but that U.S. nationals were not permitted to travel to Communist China because the U.S. Government was unable to extend protection to U.S. citizens in China.
6. Telegram 1509 to Warsaw quoted at length from a February 25 speech by Rusk. The reference is to the following sentence: “When mainland China has a Government which is prepared to renounce force, to make peace, and to honor international responsibilities, it will find us responsive.” For text of the speech, see Department of State Bulletin, March 16, 1964, pp. 390–396.
7. Circular airgram CA-4523, October 23, 1963; not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, CSM 1 CHICOM)
8. Reference is to a letter of June 14, 1963, from the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party to the Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party. The text was transmitted to Warsaw in circular airgram CA-1789, August 13, 1963. (Ibid., CSM 1–1)