137. Telegram From Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson to the Department of State1
1419. Three hour twenty minute meeting this morning.
I opened with prepared statement on renunciation force. Stressed proposed declaration was essential preliminary other discussions, fact it did not require acceptance by either side or views of other. Pointed [Page 278] out his attempt force US into renouncing self-defense right was distortion original proposal and was “effort obtain US capitulation to PRC demands with respect our controversy Taiwan area”. Cannot expect this to succeed.
Wang replied with strong attack on US record Korea, bitter repetition charge of US “occupation” Taiwan and assertion US building base there for mainland invasion. Said Foreign Ministers conference must be held to settle question relaxation tension, realize principle non-use force. Demand withdrawal US forces from Taiwan.
I reiterated facts on restraint of US and UN action Korea, refuted his charge of US “occupation” Taiwan by statement purely defensive and limited character our collective defense arrangements with GRC, which UN member and recognized by majority of world governments. Again assured Wang we not asking they accept our views, contrasting this with his attempt force US capitulate to views PRC regarding Taiwan controversy. I made this statement as pointed as possible and reiterated it in give and take in order test whether Wang would deny they attempting demand US capitulation. He refused all openings to deny it, reaffirmed that “liberation” Taiwan is exercise of Chinese peoples’ inherent right self-defense, finally stated flatly “it not sufficient merely to state that either side may not accept views of other. Some views must be opposed”.
On implementation I took initiative with my most forceful refutation to date their attempt claim distinction between “ordinary” and “law-breaking” Americans, referring to PRC Vice Minister’s letter to O’Neill (Deptel 1530).2 Wang reaffirmed their position supporting distinction, reiterated standard charges, demanded revocation alleged Taiwan entry permit requirement and other pressures on Chinese in US, demanded “accounting” persons on his previous lists. Handed me new list 4 unheard from Chinese in US.
In give and take I stressed lack representations from Indians to which Wang had no rebuttal.
At close, Wang suggested instead of postponing next meeting to February 3 it be moved to January 28. I declined, saying had made arrangements for February 3 meeting accordance his proposal last meeting, but said I willing meet on February 2 as per regular schedule. Wang shifted back to February 3 date to which I agreed.3
[Page 279]Leaving for Prague Thursday. Returning Tuesday.4
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/1–2556. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩
- Telegram 1530 to Geneva, January 23, transmitted to Johnson the text of a letter from the PRC Vice Foreign Minister to O’Neill which attributed this distinction to the agreed announcement and stated that American “criminals” in China could not exercise their right of repatriation until the Chinese Government had adopted measures, the nature and timing of which was entirely a matter of Chinese sovereignty. The telegram instructed Johnson to protest this “gross misrepresentation and violation” of the agreed announcement. (Ibid., 611.93/1–2356)↩
- Telegram 1429 from Geneva, January 27, reported that the meeting had been shifted to February 4 at Chinese request. (Ibid., 611.93/1–2756)↩
- January 26 and 31.↩