U.S. Wants Better China Relations

Press, Volume C, Issue 29459, 10 March 1961, Page 17

U.S. Wants Better China Relations

(Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 9. President Kennedy told his press conference yesterday that the United States hoped for a lessening of tensions with Communist China, but was not prepared to surrender in order to achieve it.

He was speaking after a State Department announcement that Communist China has rejected President Kennedy's attempt to secure the admission of United States journalists to China. The Chinese claimed it would be difficult to resolve the question while the United States continued to "occupy” Formosa

The Kennedy Administration thus suffered a rebuff in its first effort to find some way of beginning to break down barriers between the two countries

At his press conference. President Kennedy said he had hoped the exchange of correspondents could be arranged and better relations result. The Chinese Communists were not willing to do this, so that hope had been dimmed. "They have been extremely belligerent toward us. and unfailing in their attacks on the United States.” he said. "But I am not prepared to surrender in order to get a relaxation of tension.” The President answered several questions about relations with Communist nations at the conference, but refused to disclose the contents of a message he has sent to Mr Khrushchev. Laos Settlement

A questioner said that the approach to a peaceful settlement in Laos seemed to have run into a dead end, with Cambodia and Burma rejecting the idea of a three-nation neutral commission. and Russia apparently still insisting on the recreation of the International Control

Commission and an international conference.

The President replied the United States had been hopeful that "it would be possible to set up some procedures where neutral nations could guarantee the security of Laos and also isolate it from military pressures on both sides.” This was a matter now under discussion “with our friends and with others.” he said.

President Kennedy said he would make a major statement of his views on LatinAmerican problems next Monday He added that the United States naval base at Guantanamo had responded to a Cuban appeal for poliomyelitis vaccine to fight an outbreak in Guantanamo city. 30 miles front the base. The incident served to emphasise that United States differences with the Cuban Government of Dr. Fidel Castro were not differences with the Cuban people.

President Kennedv said the possibility of establishing a United Nations peace corps should be considered