6. Telegram From Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson to the Department of State1

257. Had Hammarskjöld to dinner last night. He had called on Wang earlier in afternoon to ask him transmit reply to Chou’s message informing him release flyers text of which he showed me and which Cordier has been requested transmit Lodge.2 Cordier will also [Page 12] give Lodge copy reply which he also showed me.3 He interprets Chou’s message as encouraging effort keep UN channel open. He is also obviously and understandably still very sensitive on Menon role.

He gave me detailed account all his efforts particularly his conversations with Chou on Downey and Fecteau. This very helpful to me although I do not believe any information was brought out not already known to Department.

I outlined to him present state my negotiations with Wang and consulted with him on my plans for handling question other missing military personnel. Told him my present thinking was when “other practical questions” reached to hand Wang list 461 missing military personnel outlining history list and asking ChiComs whether any persons listed were in territory under control ChiComs pressing as necessary for definite answer.

He expressed full approval and requested I inform Secretary that in reply Secretary’s message on coordination our efforts4 he planned take no further action pending outcome my efforts here. At that time he would decide what further action take not only with regard missing American personnel but those of other nationalities.

He will be here until August 8 and I promised keep in touch with him.

[Johnson]
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.93/8–355. Confidential.
  2. Text of the message, not dated, was transmitted to the Department in telegram 75 from New York, August 2. It states that the Chinese Government had decided to release the American fliers, that they were being released in order to maintain friendship with Hammarskjöld and not in connection with the U.N. resolution, and that the Chinese Government hoped that the contacts with Hammarskjöld would continue. (Ibid., 611.95A241/8–255)
  3. Text of Hammarskjöld’s reply, August 2, was transmitted to the Department in telegram 94 from New York, August 9. It expressed gratification at the release of the fliers and stated that Hammarskjöld looked forward to continued contacts with Chou. (Ibid, 611.95A241/8–955)
  4. Dulles’ message, sent in telegram 39 to New York, July 28, for transmission to Hammarskjöld, states that Dulles had told Johnson “that you told me at Geneva that you would welcome anything he can do to reinforce your efforts to secure return of US POW’s” and asked Hammarskjöld to let him know if he had any thoughts about coordinating their efforts. (Ibid., 611.93/7–255)