Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXII, Northeast Asia

109. Telegram From the Embassy in Poland to the Department of State⁰

Warsaw, May 17, 1962, 7 p.m.

1846. Cabot-Wang Talks. 110 meeting one hour 40 minutes.¹ Re Department telegram 1540.²

1. I opened with general statement on US disarmament policy and reasons therefor, after which I handed Wang documents as instructed reference telegram.³ I continued with substance paragraphs two and three on our activities vicinity Paracels and on imprisoned Americans.⁴

2. Wang replied he failed to see evidence USG wants disarmament or peace, asking why we continued occupy Taiwan and intrude into Chinese territory with increasing tempo. Mentioned De Haven surveillance over period one week during which alleged three intrusions. Said Chinese people keenly resent these intrusions which show US accustomed to brutally trampling on sovereignty other countries and has contempt for elementary code international conduct. Gave ChiCom version history Paracels and reiterated sovereignty claim. In claiming we had well earned label of imperialists, said we were main enemy of peoples of whole world.

Claimed some of our forces Taiwan were combat forces. Said top priority in our talks was US occupation Taiwan and this question could not be dismissed no matter how we attempted distort picture. Said his side favored general and complete disarmament but US policies real obstacle to attainment. Claimed President Kennedy openly declared us ready strike first with nuclear weapons in preventive war.

3. I said throughout period of difficulty with Wang side we have tried pursue policy of peace but have been compelled protect ourselves and allies from aggressive moves his side. We do not occupy Taiwan and I would be glad next time to say more of the character of our military personnel there. Answered De Haven accusation accordance reference telegram.⁵ Expressed gratification at statement Wang’s side favors general and complete disarmament which precisely what we want. Again reminded Wang of aggressions his side, notably Korea. Said while we seek disarmament, we would not disarm unilaterally. Said to best my knowledge and belief President had not spoken of and never intended speak of preventive war.

4. Wang then launched into carefully prepared, lengthy standard upside-down account of Korean War.

5. I said facts re Korea so clear to world, not necessary go into detail but it was clear North Korea, with connivance Wang’s side, committed aggression.

Next meeting July 12.

Informal meeting re Laos reported following telegram.⁶

Cabot

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/5-1762. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Taipei, Hong Kong, Geneva, Stockholm, and Moscow.
1. Cabot commented and sent recommendations for the next meeting in telegram 1852, May 18, and sent a detailed, apparently verbatim report of the meeting in airgram A-638, May 18. (Ibid., 611.93/5-1862)
2. Telegram 1540, May 14, conveyed Cabot’s instructions for the meeting. (Ibid., 611.93/5-1462)
3. Reference is to a U.S. proposal submitted to the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee in Geneva on April 18; the text is in Documents on Disarmament, 1962, vol. I, pp. 351-382.
4. Paragraph 2 of telegram 1540 instructed Cabot to state that the U.S. Government did not recognize the claim of Wang’s side to the Paracels, that U.S. ships and aircraft in that area had operated on the high seas according to a U.S. policy of avoiding measures likely to increase tension, and that U.S. ships would continue to exercise their freedom to sail the high seas. Paragraph 3 instructed him to raise the issue of the imprisoned Americans.
5. Telegram 1540 instructed Cabot that if Wang raised the subject of an alleged intrusion into Chinese territorial waters by the USS De Haven, Cabot should reply that, in accordance with the U.S. policy of avoiding measures likely to increase tension, the De Haven had stayed outside even the 12-mile limit claimed by Wang’s side.
6. Cabot reported in telegram 1847, May 18, that after the formal meeting he met with Wang privately, with only interpreters present, and stated U.S. views on Laos as set forth in telegram 1550 to Warsaw, May 15. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/5-1862 and 611.93/5-1562, respectively)