What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum concerning the proposed relocation of the Shu Lin‑kou Air Station in Taiwan, dated April twenty‑seventh, nineteen seventy. The document is notable because it details inter‑agency correspondence on the intersection of U.S. intelligence facilities, the Status of Forces Agreement, and the Republic of China’s civil development plans. The source is available through The Black Vault archive. The memorandum was released to the public via The Black Vault, a repository for declassified government records. The file was posted without a specific FOIA case number, and the declassification authority is listed as the CIA’s Office of Information Management. The text is reproduced here as it appears in the original scanned document. The document begins with a letter addressed to Leo J. Moser, Counselor for Political Affairs at the American Embassy in Taipei, Taiwan. The letter reads: “April twenty‑seventh, nineteen seventy Dear Leo: I am forwarding a copy of a letter from Admiral Chew on the Shu Lin‑kou problem I mentioned in our Embassy notes of April seventeenth. I think his suggested compromise—that the Taiwan Defense Command agree to relocate the Shen‑enna field in return for a free new site and financing for relocation costs—is a fair one under the arms of the Status of Forces Agreement provisions and equity. The installation itself, of course, would not be moved since there seems to be no need to relocate it for military purposes. See the attached NSA appraisal. The problem and its apparent consequent intransigence may require you to peer over the Taiwan Defense Command’s shoulder to see if this issue, which has dragged on for almost a year, cannot be brought to an amicable conclusion soon. It seems to me that this sort of attitude by agencies on our side adds needless friction to an already sufficient problem. Sincerely, Thomas Shoesmith Country Director, Republic of China Affairs” The memorandum continues with a second letter, this one from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Dennis J. Doolin, addressed to Vice Admiral John L. Chew, United States Navy, Commander of the United States Taiwan Defense Command, APO San Francisco. The letter reads: “April fifteen, nineteen seventy Vice Admiral John L. Chew, United States Navy Commander, United States Taiwan Defense Command APO San Francisco From your correspondence with Huang Chieh and the Ministry of National Defense concerning plans for developing the Lin‑kou plateau, it is obvious that the Republic of China’s development of Lin‑kou New Town calls for the removal of Shu Lin‑kou Air Station. However, we note the Republic of China’s offer to proceed with the plan in phases so as to allow the air station to remain mission‑capable for as long as possible, at least until January nineteen‑eighty. The north‑south freeway, primarily designed to link Taipei with the projected New Taipei International Airport to be built on the Tao‑yuan terrace some…

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.

Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning The Proposed Relocation

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum concerning the proposed relocation of the Shu Lin‑kou Air Station in Taiwan, dated April twenty‑seventh, nineteen seventy. S. intelligence facilities, the Status of Forces Agreement, and the Republic of China’s civil development plans.

Date: AUG 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum concerning the proposed relocation of the Shu Lin‑kou Air Station in Taiwan, dated April twenty‑seventh, nineteen seventy. The document is notable because it details inter‑agency correspondence on the intersection of U.S. intelligence…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning The Proposed Relocation about?: This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum concerning the proposed relocation of the Shu Lin‑kou Air Station in Taiwan, dated April twenty‑seventh, nineteen seventy. S. intelligence facilities, the Status of Forces Agreement, and the Republic of China’s civil development plans.
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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Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning The Proposed Relocation

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