Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXX, China

132. Telegram From the Embassy in the Republic of China to the Department of State¹

Taipei, March 12, 1966, 0707Z.

964. For Berger from Bundy.²

1. Central theme of talks with Gimo and CCK has been alleged threat of ChiCom action against Taiwan in near future. [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] will report intelligence aspects, which so far as we can see do not add up to any clear likelihood or imminence as of now.³

2. I have of course assured both that in event of such action our treaty commitment would come into play and there could be no doubt of our action. I also said that I was sure ChiComs knew as much. Nonetheless, after long discussion during my talk with Gimo yesterday, CCK came in briefly this morning to say new evidence just received [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] and to urge that we include in next Warsaw conversation clear reminder to this effect.

3. I told him I thought this would present no problem to us, but that I would refer to Department and Embassy could let him know. We must have covered topic many times, and I urge we do so again, probably in low key and without indicating we have any special indication such action likely. Please advise Embassy of action taken.⁴

Hummel

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL CHICOM-CHINAT. Secret; Priority; Exdis.
2. Assistant Secretary Bundy visited Taiwan March 10–12 and transmitted a brief summary of his talks in telegram 965 from Taipei, March 12. (Ibid., POL CHINAT-US) Detailed reports of his conversations with Chiang Kai-shek on March 11 and with Chiang Ching-kuo on March 11 and 12 are in telegrams 972, 973, and 974, all dated March 14. (Ibid., POL 7 US/BUNDY) Briefing material for his visit is filed ibid., ROC Files: Lot 75 D 76, Bundy Visit to ROC, March 10–12, 1966.
3. [text not declassified] telegram [text not declassified] to the Department of State, March 12, stated that the GRC had a report that the Communists were considering a surprise airborne attack against Taiwan as a preemptive measure to prevent the use of Nationalist troops in Vietnam. (Ibid., Central Files, POL CHICOM-CHINAT)
4. Telegram 899 to Taipei, March 12, reported that a U.S. statement at the next session of the Warsaw talks would include a specific reference to the continuation of U.S. defense commitments to allies in the Far East, including the GRC on Taiwan. (Ibid., POL CHICOM-US)