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DIGEST OF RECENT NEWS COMMENT September 1, 1971 CHINA It is very difficult to figure out RN's game-plan on Taiwan. The two- China policy makes sense. But there are strange and ominous noises which hint that our policy may go beyond that common-sense premise and that we might dump Taiwan. -One does not have to be a stalwart of the China lobby to worry about such a development. What is at stake is our reputation for fulfilling our commitments. And while the For. Relations Comm. may want to pretend that the mutual defense treaty doesn't exist, the fact is that from other vantage points in the world, an alliance is an alliance. They do not ask on what moral grounds the US quit only "Will Americans quit?" There should be a simple answer to that but one watches RN and Congress and begins to wonder. (8/26 John Roche) * * The two most asked questions about RN's trip are how can it be of value to the US and what will we have to do for the PRC in return. The questions are asked with a voice inflection which indicates there are no adequate answers. But valuable dividends are already being paid to the US. Furthermore, each of the nations wants to normalize relations with the other. The meeting, in any case, won't be a fiasco. "It won't be a sensational success but it will be a significant beginning. 11 The prospect of RN's trip is proving a tremendous boon to the US. There is reason to be- lieve that it contributed to the Soviet decision to make the Berlin accord and this in turn opens the way for MBFR. This is good for the whole free world. (9/3 Roscoe Drummond) * * Re: China, "Old-fashioned anti-Communist spokesmen" still ask the rude question of what's in it for us? Apprehension grows. Rogers on PRC admission to the UN was one thing and "it is a soft and squishy one thing. " On relations between the US and the PRC, we have heard nothing. "The WH has clammed up absolutely. 11 RN talks of normalization. But we haven't had normal relations with that country for 20 years ... and normal relations require a mutual extension of courtesies that do not seem pos- sible. It is icily clear what is in the deal for the PRC, but RN's requests seem to be few. Nothing in the PRC record indicates that it will apply its tremendous resources to peace. One struggles to keep down a feeling of unease. "So far, RN has acted with a nice blend of boldness and restraint. Let us pray now for firmness and wisdom. 11 (9/4 JJ Kilpatrick)