Wang led off in brief mild
statement with reference to fact this was first meeting of new year and
that new administration had assumed office in US. Said despite lack of progress past five
years hoped US Government now prepared make new constructive proposals.
All that was needed to improve relations was for US to withdraw from
armed occupation of Taiwan. Concluded that even though Taiwan problem
had not been settled past 11 years it surely would be during next 11
years and sooner it was settled the better.
I responded with paragraph 1 Deptel 931,22.
Document 10. continuing with
paragraphs 2, 3 and 4.
Wang expressed disappointment my
presentation contained no positive proposal concerning Taiwan. Regarding
prisoners he pointed out that although RB-47 flyers had been released,
U-2 pilot Powers still held. Added that this side had taken several
steps such as release of 11 US flyers in 1955 in effort improve
atmosphere but US had failed respond. Furthermore, US continued place
obstructions in way of Chinese wishing return their country. Regarding
newsmen he declared he had put forward reasonable proposal September
633. See
Foreign Relations, 1958-1960, vol.
XIX, pp. 715-716. and we should reconsider our
attitude to that proposal. He returned list of newsmen I had handed him
saying until Taiwan problem solved, it was very difficult make progress
on other issues.
I pointed out that far from failing to respond to Chinese Communist
release of 11 flyers US had already before that occurred removed all
restrictions on departure Chinese from US. I said his allegations
Chinese being prevented from leaving were unsupported by any evidence
and reminded him that we had yet to receive any complaint on behalf of a
Chinese from Indian Embassy. On newsmen I expressed hope that his
negative response was not final word regarding our new proposal and
urged that his side give it further consideration. I added that in view
interest this subject in US my government reserved right to make public
statement. Wang was silent as to
possibility public statement by his side.
Next meeting April 18, 2 p.m.
Beam
* Source: Department of State, Central Files,
611.93/3-761. Confidential; Niact; Limit Distribution. Repeated to
London, Moscow, and Hong Kong.
1Beam sent recommendations for
the next meeting in telegram 1255, March 7, commented on the March 7
meeting in telegram 1262, March 8, and sent a detailed, apparently
verbatim report of the meeting in airgram G-351, March 10.
(Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/3-761, 611.93/3-861, and
611.93/3-1061, respectively)