159. Letter From Secretary of Defense McNamara to Defense Minister of the Republic of China Chiang Ching-kuo1
Dear Mr. Minister:
Thank you for your letter forwarded to me by Ambassador Chow on 25 April.2
Your comments on Communist aggression in the Far East were of great interest. In this respect, I particularly appreciated your assurance of continued cooperation in countering such aggression.
Following his discussions with you in March, Assistant Secretary Bundy informed me of the problems which you raised.
You commented in your letter on Communist Chinese plans to attack Taiwan in the immediate future by air. Our review of this threat has revealed no evidence of such plans nor any significant movement of units into base areas within range of Taiwan which would indicate that the Communist Chinese had such an attack in mind. I know you are appreciative, however, of Admiral Sharp’s recent temporary deployments of F–100 and F–4 aircraft to Taiwan. These deployments again demonstrate US capability to respond promptly with effective force should the need arise.
I consider very important your reference to conferences with Vice Admiral Gentner and Major General Johnson on ways and means to improve your air defense capabilities. This type of high-level review is required periodically to assure a thorough understanding of the many problems of air defense and to achieve maximum capabilities with available units and equipment. In this regard, I have been informed that a Systems Training Program is now being instituted in Taiwan which will realistically simulate air defense situations for intensified training of air defense personnel. I hope that this program will provide you with a new and more effective means of evaluating and improving your air defense system.
With respect to your comments on deficiencies of your F–86F aircraft, I have learned the two crashes within the past year were attributed to structural failure, with the possibility that two other crashes may have been due to similar causes. We are expediting production and delivery of modification kits which, when installed, will insure the structural integrity of these aircraft. I know that Major General Johnson and his staff will [Page 325] render every possible assistance in dealing with this problem. In the meantime, we will continue to implement our plans to replace the F–86F’s with F–5 aircraft commensurate with the availability of funds and our worldwide commitments for F–5’s.
You also referred to the Military Assistance Program. The degree of US concern for the security of the Republic of China and our other allies facing the Communist threat is indicated by our past and current Military Assistance Programs. As you are aware, your cumulative program for the period FY 1951 through FY 1966 amounts to more than $2.4 billion, making the Republic of China the second largest current recipient in our total worldwide program. In the proposed FY 1967 program now before the Congress, we have once again allocated approximately three-fourths of the total program, which includes over fifty countries, to the ten countries adjacent to the borders of Soviet Russia and Communist China, where our forward strategy draws the front lines of free world defense. The proposed FY 1967 program for the Republic of China is again one of the largest.
Even within this very large current program, however, certain of the items which you mentioned in the Memorandum you left with me last September,3 and which you again discussed with Assistant Secretary Bundy, cannot be programmed. Because of this and because of our continuing mutual concern that your armed forces have adequate modern equipment, we believe that the quality rather than the size of the force should be emphasized.
I was pleased to note your reaffirmation of our understanding of military sales. As you know we have just sent a team to Taiwan to investigate the possibilities of co-production of military vehicles. This and other possible projects will represent a significant investment and should be carefully evaluated in terms of effects on your overall economy.
As you have no doubt been informed, the US Congress recently authorized the loan of a destroyer and destroyer escort to the Republic of China. These will be included within your Military Assistance Program as funds permit. We have also agreed to the sale of another APD to replace the one which was recently lost while under tow. When these ships and the recently acquired APD’s have been reconditioned, and the latter type converted, to assure their maximum combat effectiveness, the naval capabilities of the Republic of China should be significantly improved.
I hope you will continue to consult freely with Vice Admiral Gent-ner and Major General Johnson on matters of military concern to you. I [Page 326] can assure you that they and Admiral Sharp are able spokesmen on programs that are of mutual interest to our countries.
Please convey to President Chiang my personal regards and sincere best wishes for every success during his new term of office.
Sincerely,
- Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 70 A 4443, China Nats 373.24. Secret. Drafted by T.L. Ridge of OASD/ISA/FER.↩
- Dated April 15; the letter is attached but not printed.↩
- Dated September 16, 1965, the memorandum is attached but not printed; for Chiang’s September 22 conversation with McNamara, see Document 104.↩
- Printed from a copy that indicates McNamara signed the original.↩