362. Telegram 1122 from Geneva1
Geneva, November 10, 1955, 2
p.m.
1122. From Johnson.
- 1.
- This morning’s meeting two hours and ten minutes. I opened on press leaks, referring to unsatisfactory nature his reply my letter, asking for reaffirmation our agreement on privacy talks, requested clarification statement his letter they considering issuing public statement, [Typeset Page 500] and notified him that if they did so I reserved my right promptly reply by public statement. There ensued one hour’s discussion on this subject with charges and counter-charges during which I referred to leaks by NCNA correspondent as source many press stories. Believe net result was reaffirmation agreement on privacy talks and do not believe he is going to issue any statement, but some indication decision is not entirely his.
- 2.
- He then made long prepared statement on their draft renunciation of force repeating usual arguments but somewhat stronger in tone, particularly as to their unwillingness ever to recognize “US encroachment in Taiwan”, status quo, or that Taiwan was not domestic matter. Somewhat more emphasis upon withdrawal of US forces from Taiwan area.
- 3.
- I then made short statement on implementation to effect by no stretch of imagination or interpretation can their performance be considered expeditious, and that this situation closely related to other aspects our talks and my government’s view of reliance which can be placed on commitments by his government.
- 4.
- I then made statement introducing our draft agreed announcement on renunciation of force, giving him copy. Meeting adjourned after few “preliminary comments” by him along expected lines.
- 5.
- He made no statement on trade embargo except for passing reference in his opening general statement to effect unacceptable that discussion of trade be conditioned upon issuance renunciation of force statement.
- 6.
- Next meeting Thursday, November 17.
Gowen
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/11–1055. Confidential; Priority; Limited Distribution.↩