339. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Republic of China1
Washington, March 18, 1971,
1907Z.
45572. Subject: Further Consultations with GRC on Chirep.
- 1.
- During call on another matter, March 17, GRC Ambassador Chow Shu-kai remarked to Assistant Secretary Green that he and GRC Ambassador to UN Liu thought it might be useful to have another discussion in Washington as follow-up to Ambassador Brown’s recent meetings in Taipei with Vice Minister Yang Hsi-kun and others. Chow suggested possibility first part of April, by which time, he suggested, USG may have crystallized thinking on Chirep problem.
- 2.
- Green agreed that such meeting would be useful around time Chow had suggested. He remarked that Brown and party had had most profitable talks in Taipei. Green said that he had been encouraged by degree of realism and flexibility which both GRC and US had demonstrated in those talks and which offers hope that our governments will be able work together along generally agreed lines, even if GRC is unable formally to endorse our position. These talks, together with Ambassador McConaughy’s subsequent meeting with Vice Premier Chiang Ching-kuo, indicated that we should be able pursue tactics which could serve our mutual interests.
- 3.
- Chow stated that time of essence, and expressed hope that by April US would have come to some conclusion as result of its study. If, he said, we can on that basis come to agreement on common objective or approach, then we can work together to obtain support of other governments.
- 4.
- Green expressed hope that if we should conclude that some change in tactics is called for, we will have at least GRC understanding, even though it might not be able say so publicly. He also expressed strong hope that GRC appreciates importance of retaining position in UN. To latter point, Chow stated that GRC will not say that it might withdraw, and he noted that in recent TV interview he had explicitly rejected any such inference from his remarks on GRC view of problem. He added, however, that in order for GRC to remain in UN, its position “has to be tenable both domestically and externally.”
- 5.
- Green remarked that any resolution of Chirep problem will involve real difficulties: in many ways it is a choice between something that is painful and matters that could be more painful. He emphasized that it is out of a sincere concern for GRC that US and other friendly governments are engaged in such a thorough study of this problem. Chow acknowledged this is case, adding that, “If there is mutual confidence, the pain will be easier to bear.”
Rogers
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, UN 6 CHICOM. Secret. Drafted by Shoesmith and approved in draft by Assistant Secretary Marshall Green. Repeated to Tokyo, Wellington, Canberra, London, and Hong Kong.↩