629. Telegram 1958 from Geneva1
Geneva, May 31, 1956, 1
p.m.
1958. From Johnson.
- 1.
- Two hour 20 min meeting this morning. Balancing all considerations decided best to open on renunciation which I did, making points para 4 Deptel 2067, mentioning however that I had information for him on first item and therefore would make my discussion renunciation brief.
- 2.
- Give-and-take generally followed previous lines except that he pressed harder for specific detailed comments and invited textual amendments. “If two months period not enough time what period would be enough?” While he avoided explicit threat go public he renewed stalling charge in context world opinion being disappointed by failure these talks produce results.
- 3.
- I made statement on Chinese prisoners along lines paras one and two Deptel 2067 except that I did not explicitly inform him no publicity was being given to decision. In context meeting I felt it probably more productive leave him guess on this. In any event probably more effective if they learn this through Indians.
- 4.
- Wang had prepared statement obviously based on Higgins article and other press reports reflecting instructions to “demand” that we release all Chinese prisoners and specifically asserting they included in September 10 announcement. Although my previous presentation undercut basis for his prepared statement [Facsimile Page 2] he nevertheless used some of it, making foregoing points. In reply to his question as to how many, I said did not have exact figure but was between 30 and 40, to which he replied this was “quite big number”. I ignored his request for list of names. He renewed charge on coercing Chinese apply for permanent residence and Taiwan entry permits, adding charge that US born children Chinese students being denied exit. I immediately and categorically denied latter charge pointing out that even though American citizens children were being permitted accompany parents.
- 5.
- My statement on Chinese prisoners obviously took him by complete surprise, he had no instructions to cover possibility, and therefore confined himself to prepared material despite incongruities.
- 6.
- At Wang’s suggestion next meeting Friday June 8.
- 7.
- Proceeding Prague tomorrow returning Geneva Wednesday June 6.
Shillock
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/5–3156. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩