893.00/10–2348: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 23—9:26 a. m.]
1983. Personal for the Secretary. In view of developing situation as reported my 1971 of October 22, it is highly possible that Generalissimo and others will seek my advice. Anything that I say will of course be accepted as US policy; even my silence will be interpreted or construed as significant. I would therefore be grateful for your guidance urgently on the following several points likely to arise:
- (a)
- Will we continue to recognize and support the Nationalist Government should they be forced to move elsewhere in China because of continuing military reverses?
- (b)
- Would we advise the retirement of the Generalissimo in favor of Li Tsung-jen or some other National political leader with better prospects of forming a republican non-Communist government and of more effectively prosecuting the war against the Communist rebels?
- (c)
- Would we approve the retirement of the Generalissimo in favor of some Chinese leader who could bring an end to the civil war on the best possible terms for the Nationalist forces and the non-Communist political parties?
- (d)
- In the latter course would we recognize and support a coalition government resulting from termination of hostilities and involving cooperation with the Communists for a united China? or,
- (e)
- Would we give de facto recognition to such government, the while withholding any ECA or other support?
I appreciate the difficulties which these seemingly hypothetical questions pose for you and your advisors. However, in the acute crisis which I foresee for the Generalissimo and his Government, I feel that I must have the benefit of your most recent thinking on the above specific points or in more general terms if you prefer in order adequately represent the views of the US in this critical phase of our relations with China.
For Paris 6, repeated Department. Department pass Paris.