217. Telegram From Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson to the Department of State1
570. Three hour fifteen minute meeting this morning. Following brief opening statement by Wang restating their position on fact and causes deadlock in talks and necessity FMC, entire remainder meeting devoted implementation. During course meeting I made points para one Deptel 5872 and informed him arrival James Lew3 stressing [Page 445] he deported even though had served only small part his sentence and was not eligible for parole or release under normal regulations. Also informed him of ARC interviews of prisoners but did not mention those opting for Taiwan and this question did not arise. When he responded with usual charge prisoners could not make free choice and US should “on its own initiative” follow PRC procedure and release prisoners after which they could choose where they desire go I countered by pointing out PRC had followed deportation procedure in releases Americans at time of and immediately following agreed announcement. Throughout long give and take I continuously came back to all aspects McCarthy case as prime illustration their failure carry out agreed announcement. Wang retreated entirely behind repetition previous charges re Chinese in US in obvious attempt close off discussion and meeting with last word. This I refused accept and during last hour and half repeatedly refuted each his charges and turned discussion repeatedly back to Americans particularly McCarthy until he finally desisted from repeating his charges.
Next meeting Thursday, December 13. Departing Prague tomorrow morning.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/11–3056. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩
- Paragraph 1 of guidance telegram 587 to Geneva,
November 27, reads as follows:
“Continue press for Chinese Communist fulfillment their commitments in McCarthy case and those of other Americans. US Government rejects Chinese Communist contention that imprisoned Americans, the very persons on whose behalf we negotiated Agreed Announcement, can be excluded by Chinese Communists from provisions Agreed Announcement, which they are bound to observe. Neither can US Government accept Chinese Communist refusal permit British Chargé exercise investigative functions prescribed under Agreed Announcement. Continued Chinese Communist violation of their pledged word can only force conclusion that their word cannot be relied on. (FYI In your presentation draw freely on exchange November 15 between British Chargé and Peiping Foreign Office. Department has decided not issue press release on McCarthy case prior next meeting but you should hammer away on this flagrant case. End FYI)” (Ibid., 611.93/11–2756)
↩ - James Lew was the only alien Chinese prisoner interviewed by the American Red Cross to opt for deportation to the People’s Republic of China. Johnson was informed, in guidance telegram 587 cited in footnote 1 above, that Lew had arrived in Hong Kong on November 19. According to telegram 407 to Taipei, November 13, the other two Chinese convicts originally opting to go to mainland China changed their minds and decided to complete their prison terms. (Ibid., 211.9311/11–1356) In letter No. 50 to McConaughy, November 30, Johnson stated that the release of Lew had “immensely strengthened my hand”. (Ibid., Geneva Talks Files: Lot 72 D 415, Geneva—Correspondence Re US–PRC, 1955–1956)↩