23. Editorial Note
On March 28, 1977, Leonard Unger, Ambassador to the Republic of China, called on Premier of the Republic of China Jiang Jingguo. As instructed, Unger made an oral presentation to Jiang concerning non-proliferation of atomic weapons based on talking points he had received from the Department; he then left with Jiang a written copy of the talking points and a formal note embodying the U.S. position (see Document 22). During this meeting, Jiang reiterated his support for Carter’s non-proliferation policy. (Telegram 1720 from Taipei, March 29; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850106–1836) In response to a question from Vice Minister Chien Fu of the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, telegram 76252 to Taipei, April 6, clarified that the “proposed exchange of notes would constitute a formal agreement between the United States and the Republic of China.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850106–1863)
On April 12, Vice Minister Chien responded, delivering a note to Deputy Chief of Mission Paul M. Popple. The Embassy in Taiwan later reported that Chien’s explanatory remarks confirmed that the note “represented full GROC acceptance [of the proposals] put forward by USG with minor exception regarding notification to IAEA of suspension operation of TRR.” (Telegram 82523 from the Department of State to the White House, April 13; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, N77002–0574)
In an April 29 memorandum, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs, Zbigniew Brzezinski, informed President Jimmy Carter: “It is now quite clear that the Taiwanese Institute of Nuclear Energy Research has been ordered to terminate its heavy water reactor project and close the hot laboratory. The American effort to crack down on this project clearly yielded its desired results.” In the margin next to this statement, Carter wrote, “Good.” (Weekly National Security Report #11, April 29; Carter Library, Brzezinski Donated Material, Subject File, Box 41, Weekly Reports [to the President], 1–15 [2/77–6/77])