Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-6) today wrote to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley seeking answers on allegations that General Milley placed phone calls to his counterpart within the People’s Liberation Army of China stating he would inform the Chinese General in the event of an attack on the country by the United States.
“While it is a military norm for generals and chiefs of staff to have a strategic dialogue, it is alleged that on the aforementioned calls you informed the Chinese General that the United States would not attack China,” wrote Graham and Waltz. “If that were to change, you would alert him in advance so it would not be a surprise.”
“Did you place calls on these dates to General Zuocheng and discuss these matters? Is the reporting on these alleged calls an accurate reflection of the content of the conversations?” concluded Graham and Waltz.
The full text of the letter is below.
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September 15, 2021
General Mark A. Milley
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
9999 Joint Staff Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20318-9999
Dear General Milley:
We are well aware of the media reports coming from excerpts of the forthcoming book by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa that on two separate occasions you made phone calls to your Chinese counterpart, General Li Zuocheng, one on October 30, 2020, and the other on January 8, 2021.
While it is a military norm for generals and chiefs of staff to have a strategic dialogue, it is alleged that on the aforementioned calls you informed the Chinese General that the United States would not attack China. If that were to change, you would alert him in advance so it would not be a surprise.
Did you place calls on these dates to General Zuocheng and discuss these matters? Is the reporting on these alleged calls an accurate reflection of the content of the conversations?
Additionally, if the calls did occur under the reported context, we are requesting a briefing on the intelligence that led you to believe that China was concerned about a preemptive strike from the United States. Was the decision to communicate a deescalating message an interagency position and was it shared with the White House?
A prompt reply is appreciated and would be good for the country. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Lindsey O. Graham
United States Senator
Michael Waltz
Member of Congress