55. Memorandum From Michael Armacost of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1
SUBJECT
- Major Policy Activities
China
Activity: Normalization of Relations with the PRC while retaining economic, cultural, and other appropriate ties with Taiwan.
Mode of Implementation: The next major step in our discussions with Peking will probably be a Vance meeting with a PRC representative to the UNGA (most likely Foreign Minister Huang Hua). Our discussions are aimed at identifying a mutually acceptable formula for normalization that would enable both sides to remain true to their principles. In addition, we may wish in the weeks and months ahead to undertake unilateral steps to invest some ties with Taiwan. Such measures might include reduction in the scope and intensity of joint military exercises with the ROC, reducing the quantity and value of our war materiel storage in the ROC (transferring some of the equipment to the ROC), [1½ lines not declassified]. Studies are underway on how we might sustain our post-normalization relations with Taiwan.
Congressional Activity: Legislation will be necessary to enable us to sustain our current relations with Taiwan in the event that we sever diplomatic relations with the ROC. Thus far, we have not identified the precise legislation that will be necessary, but we are in the process of doing so. It is possible that “Sense of Congress” resolutions will be introduced in the coming months dealing with our China policy, and we will want to keep an eye on this.
[Omitted here is material unrelated to Sino-American relations.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Far East, Oksenberg Subject File, Box 26, Brzezinski: 7–12/77. Secret. Sent for information. Oksenberg prepared the section on China in this memorandum, which describes U.S. policy activities in East Asia.↩