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

225. Letter From the Charge in the Republic of China (Hummel) to the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Read)¹

Taipei, December 16, 1966.

Dear Ben:

Prior to leaving Taipei on December 9 the Secretary requested that the record of his remarks concerning Gromyko’s views on mainland China be recorded in two copies only, one for him and one for the Embassy. In accordance with his instructions, we forward this separate record of the Secretary’s remarks, which have been deleted from our airgrams A–406 and A–409, both dated December 14.² The Embassy has retained the only other copy of this separate record.

One of the Secretary’s references to Gromyko’s views was included by error in Taipei’s A–405, dated December 14 (conversation with Foreign Minister Wei).³ This was on page 3 of the enclosure, second paragraph, fourth sentence which begins “He had merely said that irrationality had entered the scene . . .”. We have sent you a telegram today requesting deletion of this sentence. It is included on the attached record.

Sincerely,

Art

Attachment

The following remarks have, at the Secretary’s request, been deleted from the Memcons of the Secretary’s conversations in Taipei, December 7–8, 1966.

The Secretary and the Gimo, December 8, 1966

The Gimo asked if the Soviets ever interpret to US officials events in Communist China. The Secretary said Gromyko is always unwilling to talk about the Chicoms. On one occasion the Secretary had asked Gromyko what is happening on the China mainland. Gromyko had replied that to tell the truth he did not know. Gromyko said that there is now an element of irrationality in Peiping, and this irrationality makes it difficult to interpret events.

The Secretary said that he wished to tell the Gimo in great confidence that Gromyko had once observed with regret that there is no provision in the Test Ban Treaty to enforce its provisions on non-signer nations. The Secretary said that the US would follow up this remark, and it is a very important development that the Soviets should worry about the Chicoms in this connection.

The Secretary said he had once asked Gromyko whether, in the event that Hanoi did come to the conference table, the ChiComs would intervene with military force to prevent Hanoi from making peace. Gromyko had replied that that would be inconceivable.

The Secretary and DefMin Chiang Ching-kuo, December 8, 1966

The Secretary said he had recently asked Gromyko what is happening on the China mainland. Gromyko had replied that he simply did not know. Gromyko said that the irrational quality of present activities prevents any rational analysis.

The Secretary and Foreign Minister Wei, December 7, 1966

He (Gromyko) had said that irrationality had entered the scene in mainland China, making analysis very difficult.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL CHINAT–US. Top Secret; Nodis; Official-Informal.
2. Not printed. (Ibid.)
3. Not printed. (Ibid., POL CAN–CHICOM)