Cautious Mood in USA Over Nixon’s Move
WASHINGTON, July 17.—The first flush of excitement over the announcement of President Nixon’s pending trip to Peking gave way to a more cautious mood today with growing recognition of the gigantic differences still separating the USA and China, reports Reuter.
There was overwhelming support in Congress, and apparently among the American people, for the President’s starting move to improve relations.
But a note of caution was sounded by those who pointed out that the historic visit would not settle the vast differences between Washington and Peking which were likely to remain for years to come.
Senators and Congressmen, while applauding President Nixon’s dramatic decision to visit Peking within the next few months, warned against expecting too much too soon from the sudden thaw in SinoAmerican relations.
Senator William Fulbright (Democrat-Arkansas) reacting with an ambivalence that was not unique, said he was very pleased and encouraged. But he warned there was a risk that if nothing developed from the trip, future relations between Washington and Peking might be worse than before expectations were aroused.
Senator Fulbright, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, suggested that the White House adviser, Dr Henry Kissinger, who arranged the Peking visit, should appear before his committee to discuss it.
Senator Fulbright, a frequent critic of President Nixon’s foreign policy, said in that way the Administration could improve its relations with Congress as well as with Peking.
SERIOUS QUESTIONING
Some of the most serious questioning of the wisdom of the trip came from the Conservative wing of the President’s own party.
Senator John Tower a Texan influential in the Conservative wing, said: ‘I am disturbed by the President’s announcement. I do not know what has motivated the President in this move.
The KMT Chinese Ambassador to Washington emphasized his country’s dismay at the turn of events by calling a Press Conference last night to denounce President Nixon’s intention of going to Peking. The Ambassador, Mr. James Shen, called it a shabby deal.
But the President’s announcement was seen here as a hopeful sign that U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war is almost over.
Liberal Republican Senator Jacob Javits of New York said the news indicated the real likelihood of a U.S. troops withdrawal from Indo-China by the time of the President’s trip.
The business community also welcomed Mr. Nixon’s move although again there was a warning not to expect too much from it.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in a statement by its executive VicePresident. Mr. A. N. Booth, said: “The lure of China has mesmerized traders since Marco Polo but the face remains that Chipa presently has very little of commercial interest to the USA.
There was almost unanimous agreement by President Nixon’s political supporters and opponents that a visit to Peking late this year, or early next, will greatly strengthen his prospects of re-election next year.
AP adds: Mr. Nixon’s communications director. Mr. Herb Klein, said yesterday that it was China’s possession of nuclear power and her huge population which made Mr. Nixon anxious to improve relations with that country.
Kr. Klein told the Californian Broadcasters Association’s general membership meeting that Mr. Nixon’s announcement was a breakthrough which “looks realistically at the growing power and growing danger of isolating China”.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 18.6.1971