794.5/8–1452: Telegram
No. 592
The Ambassador in Japan (Murphy) to the Department of State
587. Your telegram 426.1 Department’s point well taken regarding inconsistency between Japanese Government’s expressed hope that there would be as little advance publicity as possible attached to loan heavy equipment for use JNPR and Yoshida’s August 4 declaration. However inconsistency apparent rather than real.
I lunched with Yoshida last Thursday and he brought up matter explaining with obvious embarrassment that his declaration was not intended for publication. He said he had intended only to make confidential explanation to NPR representatives so that they would understand his policy. Publication resulted, he said, from scoop by unauthorized reporter for which Yoshida apologized.
Thus far reaction to Yoshida statement has been mild. As it is planned by FEC to commence release of heavy equipment on 15 August, it is hoped that no contretemps will intervene to delay program. Once program is launched it will of course be impossible to [Page 1314] avoid some publicity but this should develop gradually and after program under way.
- In this telegram, dated Aug. 11, the Department inquired concerning a speech delivered by Yoshida before members of the JNPR on Aug. 4, in which the Prime Minister had spoken of preparing voters for the announcement of the transfer of heavy weapons to it. The telegram concluded: “In view inconsistency with substance Tokyo’s 407, Dept requests ur views.” (794.5/8–1152) For a résumé of telegram 407, July 30, see footnote 5, Document 583.↩