857. Letter from Martin to Clough1
An idea has occurred to me which I am sure has undoubtedly occurred to you or Dave now that the “Johnson-Wang talks” have come to an end after seventy-three meetings and almost 2½ years. This idea is that some sort of official recognition or award should be given Alex Johnson for a diplomatic feat which, if not unique in history, is hard to parallel in the annals of our country’s diplomacy. The fact that Alex was holding down a Chief of Mission job which had nothing to do with the negotiations at Geneva makes his accomplishment the more noteworthy. The trekking back and forth from Prague to Geneva with all its attendant unsettling effects (which I have begun to appreciate having now done six months’ commuting from London to Geneva) also increased the difficulties of his more than ordinarily tough negotiating assignment.
Of course I don’t need to describe to you the merits of this particular case. I do feel, however, that some sort of an award or other recognition is not only highly merited by Alex, but would be the kind of thing which would boost esprit in the Service at large.
Sincerely yours,
First Secretary of Embassy
- Source: Department of State, Geneva Talks Files, Lot 72D415. Confidential; Official–Informal.↩