717. Telegram 320 to Geneva1
320. For Johnson.
Chinese Communist statement issued Peiping and Geneva September 21 contains nothing new. It does not alter line to be taken your September 22 presentation which should continue be guided by [Typeset Page 1181] Deptel 301. We are considering issuing brief reply Communist statement probably on September 24 which will stress unreasonableness Communist demand we discuss relaxation trade restrictions at time when they continue threaten use force against Taiwan and fail to carry out last year’s Agreed Announcement.
We recognize that tone adopted in portion of guidance referred to third paragraph your 279 is somewhat harder than heretofore. However, we do not believe Communist decision to break or not to break will be significantly affected by relatively minor alterations in phraseology used by you in discussions. We feel harder line necessary this stage of talks to emphasize our opposition to their continued insistence on right to use force to achieve their aims.
Line adopted by speakers at Chinese Communist 8th Party Congress and September 21 statement itself do not suggest Peiping moving toward break-off in talks.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/9–2156. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Clough; cleared by Robertson in substance and Sebald in draft.↩