93. Telegram From the Ambassador in the Republic of China (Rankin) to the Department of State1
532. Off-Shore Islands. Following is verbatim text of proposed Chinese statement approved by President Chiang and handed to me by acting Foreign Minister 4:30 this afternoon:
Begin statement.
In order to meet the new challenge of international Communist aggression the government of the Republic of China, in the spirit of Sino-American cooperation in the joint defense of their respective territories in the Western Pacific and after consultation with the Government of the United States, has decided to redeploy the forces defending certain off-shore islands and to strengthen the defense of other important islands such as Quemoy, Matsu, etc. with the forces now in the Tachen area. Through such consolidation, the defense of Taiwan and the other off-shore islands will be further strengthened.
In furtherance of the close cooperation in the security and defense of Taiwan and the Pescadores, the Government of the United States has indicated to the Government of the Republic of China its decision to join in the defense of such related positions and territories which are, in its views, essential to the defense of Taiwan and the Pescadores. It has also indicated its decision to assist in and give protective cover for the redeployment of our forces in the Tachen area.
The Government of the Republic of China, regarding the decision of the Government of the United States as added proof of the solidarity of the two countries in promoting freedom and security in the Asia and Pacific area and the general cause of the free world, has signified its welcome [to] these decisions.
End statement.
Shen said they wanted to put it in tomorrow morning’s local newspapers but I replied we could scarcely expect answer from Department so quickly view mention of Quemoy and Matsu. However I agreed to ask for answer quickly as possible and to request Department also communicate its reaction to Ambassador Koo so that he might telephone to Shen in Taipei.
Mention of Matsu and Quemoy is of course limited to paragraph dealing solely with Chinese forces while US assistance dealt with in separate paragraph. I hope this may be acceptable to Department and recommend its approval but I told Shen I was by no means certain of this.
[Page 230]Presumably draft would raises no questions if “such as Quemoy, Matsu, et cetera” were omitted but Chiang attaches greatest importance to mentioning these islands in some fashion.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 293.9322/2–655. Top Secret; Niact. Received at 7:24 a.m. Passed to USUN by the Department at Rankin’s request.↩