373. Telegram 1186 from Geneva1
1186. From Johnson.
Following is text article my talks prepared by Wesley Pederson USIA for Paul Ford column IPS on Friday if possible. Subject to Department’s views I believe release this type article at this time would be useful and concur in text. If Department concurs request text be transmitted USIA Washington.
Geneva—The United States is pressing vigorously for full implementation of Communist China’s September tenth pledge to permit Americans in China “expeditiously” to return home.
Seventeen American civilians are still imprisioned on the China mainland, despite the promise given in Geneva nine weeks ago to the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, U. Alexis Johnson, by Peiping’s Ambassador to Poland, Wang Ping-nan.
Johnson and Wang have been holding talks in Geneva since August first. They met for the twenty-sixth time Thursday. There are two items on their agenda: the return of civilians, and “other practical matters at issue between the two sides.”
While waiting for Peiping to release the seventeen Americans, the Ambassadors are discussing the question of a mutual renunciation of force, particularly in the Taiwan area. They have not (repeat not) closed their talks on item one, however, and it is clear that in discussions on all other matters the United States will take into account Peiping’s implementation of the September tenth pledge as well as its willingness to assure the world of its intent not to start a war.
[Facsimile Page 2]In its broadcasts Peiping is alleging that in spite of its freely made commitment of September tenth the return of imprisoned Americans [Typeset Page 517] depends upon what the Chinese Communists term “improvement of relations.” This is an amazingly frank admission that Peiping considers these persons as political hostages to be bargained for political ends. It also cannot escape notice that Peiping has carefully timed its releases thus far with political events—the eleven imprisoned flyers were released the day the Ambassadorial level talks opened, ten civilian prisoners were freed the day the Ambassadors issued their agreed announcement on the return of civilians, and two more on the day prior to the opening of the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Geneva. No other prisoners have yet been released and 17 still remain.
However, the United States still hopes that the Chinese Communists will, even if belatedly, fully carry out their commitment to permit all Americans who desire to do so to return.
The Chinese Communists have publicly announced the two matters they would like to take up are preparations for a higher level meeting and the question of trade embargo.
Secretary of State Dulles said in a press conference on October eighteenth that the possibilities of the meeting of the Ambassadors should be fully explored and exhausted before there is consideration given to a possible second meeting and that the United States would be willing to discuss the question of trade embargo at the Ambassadorial level. However, it has been made clear that the United States is not prepared to make any arrangements which would prejudice the rights of the Republic of China or other third parties.
The meetings here are conducted in secret because it is the U.S. belief that there is a better possibility of progress if problems can be discussed frankly, without the danger of the talks being distorted for propaganda purposes. Whatever results are achieved, however, will of course be made public, Johnson has emphasized.
There will, in other words, be no (repeat no) secret agreements.
End.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/11–1655. Official Use Only.↩