893.001/11–2349
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs (Sprouse)
Minister Tan81 called by appointment this afternoon and said that Ambassador Koo had asked him to transmit to the Department on instructions from the Chinese Foreign Office a request from Acting President Li Tsung-jen that appropriate action be taken to facilitate his proposed trip to the United States for purposes of obtaining medical treatment. Minister Tan emphasized that the Acting President was coming to the United States solely for medical reasons and that he would return to China immediately after obtaining the necessary treatment in order to carry on the fight against communism. He explained that the assistance requested was in connection with visa formalities and his entry into the United States and that the Acting President indicated that he would be accompanied by a party of ten. Minister Tan expressed as his personal opinion considerable doubt as to the desirability or necessity for such an entourage. He further stated that the Acting President had indicated that he would not desire any official hospitality in the U.S. since his trip was solely for medical reasons.
I informed Minister Tan that I would look into the matter and let him know what steps should be taken to assist the Acting President.
- Dr. Shao-hwa Tan, Chinese Minister-Counselor in the United States.↩