337. Telegram 1048 from Geneva1

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1048. From Johnson.

Following is suggested redraft of agreed announcement on renunciation of force which has been shown to the Secretary and Phleger and has their general concurrence. However desire to receive Department’s comments. In particular desire comments on inclusion phrase “to achieve its national policy objectives when this would threaten international peace” in last two paragraphs. There is some thought this might be omitted from first draft presented to Wang and possibly retained for later introduction during course negotiations.

1.
The Ambassadors of the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China in the discussion of the practical matters at issue between the two sides have recognized that the two countries confront each other with policies which are in certain respects incompatible. Their governments are determined, however, that their first objective will be to see that these differences do not lead to armed conflict.
2.
Their determination not to resort to war does not mean that either government must renounce any policy objectives which it considers it is legitimately entitled to achieve or renounce the right of individual or [Typeset Page 465] collective self-defense. It does mean that neither will initiate the use of force to implement its policies.
3.
Their determination not to resort to the use of force to make the policies of either party prevail over those of the other does not involve the interests of third parties nor does it involve the justice or injustice of conflicting claims.
4.
They recognize the basic principle that the use of force to achieve national objectives does not accord with accepted standards of conduct under international law if it constitutes a threat to international peace and security and justice.
5.
Furthermore, they recognize that the determination not to resort to the threat or use of force is essential to the just settlement of disputes by peaceful means, for negotiations cannot achieve fair and equitable solutions if conducted under the overhanging threat that force may be resorted to when one party does not agree with the other.
6.
Accordingly; Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson informed Ambassador Wang Ping-nan that: in general, and with particular reference to the Taiwan area, the USA renounces the use of force to achieve its national policy objectives when this would threaten international peace, except in individual and collective self-defense.
7.
Ambassador Wang Ping-nan informed Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson that: in general, and with particular reference to the Taiwan area, the PRC renounces the use of force to achieve its national policy objectives when this would threaten international peace, except in individual and collective self-defense.
Gowen
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/11–355. Secret; Priority; Limited Distribution.