What did the declassified documents reveal?

You are listening to Declassified. Today, we delve into a declassified C-I-A record concerning Taiwanese military distrust of U.S. attaches, a top-secret letter from the American Embassy in Taipei, Taiwan, dated June twenty-seventh, nineteen-fifty. This document can be found on archive.org, under the C-I-A research tool entry C-I zero zero three six two. This document was released as part of an official Freedom of Information Act disclosure, declassified by the C-I-A's C-I-A-A-R-O, the Central Intelligence Agency's Historical Review Program, with a release date of March thirty-first, nineteen-ninety-nine. This program systematically reviews and declassifies historical intelligence documents, ensuring public access to records deemed no longer sensitive. The document reads: The Foreign Service of the United States of America. American Embassy, Taipei, Taiwan, June twenty-seventh, nineteen-fifty. Secret. Official-Informal. Dear Tony: Although the subject matter may best be left unacted on as a delicate matter arising at a late date, I feel it desirable to bring it to your attention. About two months ago, Lieutenant Colonel Poston, Assistant Army Attaché, briefly remarked that Chinese military circles seemed to trust only Air Attaché Gault, Assistant Naval Attaché Salmon, and himself, and felt that Colonel Barrett's duty in Yenan and connection with Jack Service there made him suspect. Today Poston called on me and stated that last night the Intelligence Officer of the C-A-F stated specifically that the Chinese Military were willing to provide information of highly Classified nature only to certain of the attachés and that past connections of others rendered them suspect. This might include Colonel Gabbert as well as Barrett. Poston disavowed any personal motive in expressing his concern, and I am prepared to believe him, even though I know he feels that Barrett exercises too much control over him and Barrett considers him an "eager beaver" who does, however, turn up a lot of good information. I told Poston I would think the matter over, but that it was of such a nature and came at such a time that on the face of it I could see no advantage in carrying it further. The reason that I am writing is to record my belief that Poston may very well be right. This is without any animus whatsoever against Barrett, who is a very "savvy gentleman" when it comes to the Chinese and a good American as you know. The restrictions placed on the attachés by the Ministry of National Defense reported in my telegram Number nine five six of June twenty-first, may have been promulgated partly with a view to keeping Barrett as uninformed as possible. If aired in Washington, quite a controversy could arise from this letter, and Poston might find himself in an awkward position. I believe that we may as well let the matter ride until events one way or the other solve it. Sincerely, Robert C. Strong. This communication reflects a nuanced period in U.S.-Taiwanese relations…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Case File · ARCHIVE-001Declassified

Filed NOV 9 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA You Are Listening To Declassified.

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 9, 2026

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You are listening to Declassified. S. attaches, a top-secret letter from the American Embassy in Taipei, Taiwan, dated June twenty-seventh, nineteen-fifty. org, under the C-I-A research tool entry C-I zero zero three six two.

Date: NOV 9 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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You are listening to Declassified. Today, we delve into a declassified C-I-A record concerning Taiwanese military distrust of U.S. attaches, a top-secret letter from the American Embassy in Taipei, Taiwan, dated June twenty-seventh, nineteen-fifty. This document can be found on archive.org, under…

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What was CIA You Are Listening To Declassified. about?: You are listening to Declassified. S. attaches, a top-secret letter from the American Embassy in Taipei, Taiwan, dated June twenty-seventh, nineteen-fifty. org, under the C-I-A research tool entry C-I zero zero three six two.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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