369. Telegram 1141 from Geneva1
Geneva, November 11, 1955, 5
p.m.
1141. From Johnson. ReMytel 1132.
- 1.
- I have been reconsidering question of text of any public statement we should issue if PRC makes statement. It now appears to me text in Deptel 1183 would not be best answer to probable type of statement PRC could be expected.
- 2.
- There is given below my thought on general lines of what might be
said here if Wang issues
statement, or it could be modified for issuance in Washington if PRC
release was from Peiping. It will be noted this draft attempts to
make our points without becoming involved in specific substance of
meetings or drafts which I feel should if possible be avoided.
- A.
- It is a matter of disappointment and concern that Ambassador Wang has chosen to issue a public statement at this time. As he and I agreed when these talks started progress can best be made by not giving out details of our exchanges until understandings can be announced, as when we made the agreed announcement of September 10 with regard to the return of civilians.
- B.
- Some time ago I proposed, in order to make progress in the discussion of other practical matters arising between the two sides, that both sides should declare that they renounced the use of force.
- C.
- Ambassador Wang appears to have accepted this principle and we have since that time been discussing an appropriate form for this declaration. Such a declaration must make it clear that force is being renounced as an instrument of national policy in general and also with particular reference to the Taiwan area. My government believes that an unqualified declaration in this regard, such as the United States is willing to make, would be a major step in assuring peace in the Far East and permit hopeful discussion of other problems.
- D.
- I am pleased to note that Ambassador Wang’s statement appears publicly to indicate that the People’s Republic of China is in fact willing to renounce the use of force. I hope that agreement can soon be reached on an unqualified declaration in this regard.
- E.
- However, the extreme slowness and apparent reluctance with which Ambassador Wang’s government is now implementing its commitment of September 10 to permit all Americans in China desiring to return expeditiously to do so is a source of serious concern. Although [Typeset Page 513] more than two months have now passed since the issuance of our agreed announcement of September 10, 17 Americans still remain in jail.
- F.
- It is my hope that Communist China will no longer delay in demonstrating its willingness fully to carry out its freely assumed commitments.
Gowen
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/11–1155. Secret; Limited Distribution.↩