Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Volume III, China, Microfiche Supplement

392. Memorandum from Robertson to Dulles¹

Washington, November 30, 1955

SUBJECT

• Draft Declarations on Renunciation of Force

There are attached three draft declarations on renunciation of force. The first (Tab A) is the Chinese Communist draft introduced at Geneva on October 27; the second (Tab B) is the United States draft introduced November 8; the third (Tab C) is a revision of the United States draft which Ambassador Johnson has proposed introducing on December 1.

I consider the draft we submitted on November 8 to be tightly drawn and difficult to improve on. I also believe that the Chinese Communists are in a weak position from which to break off the talks and that they are unlikely to do so at this time when matters related to their entry into the United Nations have reached such a critical stage. Therefore, it is proposed to instruct Ambassador Johnson not to introduce a revised draft on December 1. However, it may become desirable at a future meeting to introduce a revised draft in order to keep the talks going. Ambassador Johnson’s draft is consequently being submitted for your comments.

Tab A

Chinese Draft²

Geneva, October 27, 1955

PRC DRAFT DECLARATION ON RENUNCIATION OF FORCE

(Introduced October 27)

1. Ambassador Wang Ping-nan on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China and Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson on behalf of the Government of the United States of America jointly declare that,

2. In accordance with Article 2, Paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, “All members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered”; and

3. In accordance with Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Charter of the United Nations, “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations”;

4. The People’s Republic of China and the United States of America are agreed that they should settle disputes between their two countries by peaceful means without resorting to the threat or use of force.

5. In order to realize their common desire, the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America decide to hold a conference of Foreign Ministers to settle through negotiations the question of relaxing and eliminating the tension in Taiwan area.

Tab B

U.S. Draft³

Geneva, Geneva, November 8, 1955

US DRAFT DECLARATION ON RENUNCIATION OF FORCE

(Introduced November 8)

1. The Ambassador of the United States of America and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China during the course of the discussions of practical matters at issue have expressed the determination that the differences between the two sides shall not lead to armed conflict.

2. They recognize that the use of force to achieve national objectives does not accord with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter or with generally accepted standards of international conduct.

3. They furthermore recognize that the renunciation of the threat or use of force is essential to the just settlement of disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace.

4. Therefore, without prejudice to the pursuit by each side of its policies by peaceful means they have agreed to announce the following declarations:

5. Ambassador Wang Ping-nan informed Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson that:

6. In general, and with particular reference to the Taiwan area, the People’s Republic of China renounces the use of force, except in individual and collective self defense.

7. Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson informed Ambassador Wang Ping-nan that:

8. In general, and with particular reference to the Taiwan area, the United States renounces the use of force, except in individual and collective self defense.

Tab C

Johnson’s Proposed Draft⁴

Geneva, undated

AMBASSADOR JOHNSON’S REVISED DRAFT

(Proposed for Introduction Dec. 1)

1. Ambassador Wang Ping-nan of the People’s Republic of China and Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson of the United States of America during the course of their discussions of practical matters at issue between the two sides make the following declarations:

2. Ambassador Wang Ping-nan, on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, declares that the PRC will refrain from the threat or use of force except in self-defense; and

3. In accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and generally accepted standards of international conduct, the PRC will always seek the solution by peaceful means of any dispute to which it is a party and the continuation of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security; and

4. Recognizing the particular importance of relaxing and eliminating tension in the Taiwan area, the PRC declares that the foregoing general principles are specifically applicable to that area.

5. Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson, on behalf, etc.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/11–3055. Secret. Drafted by Clough.
2. Confidential.
3. Secret.
4. Secret.