Mao: The Unknown Story

16 “untrustworthy ally”: May & Zelikow, pp. 637–8 (CIA chief McCone, 29 Oct. 1962); Radványi 1972, pp. 136, 173n: Mikoyan briefing to Communist embassies in Washington after Cuba visit; Anderson, p. 545; cf. CWB no. 5, pp. 109, 159 (Mikoyan to Guevara, 5 Nov. 1962). “Only one man”: to Mexican President Echeverria, 20 Apr. 1973 (Anguiano interview, 23 Nov. 1992). Castro played them off: Lewis & Xue 1994, p. 172; Prozumenshchikov 1996–7, pp. 254–6.

17 denounce Khrushchev by name: Wu Lengxi 1999, pp. 633, 638–9. “philosophy of survival”: URI, Liu, vol. 3, p. 244 (Liu Shao-chi, speech in Pyongyang, 18 Sept. 1963).

18 FRUS 1961–1963, vol. 22, Doc. 180 (Kennedy to Harriman, 15 July 1963); Harriman Papers, Boxes 539, 540, 542, 518, NARA.

CHAPTER 44 Ambushed by the President

1 –462 Liu to home area 1961: quotes and descriptions from Liu & Yi; Liu Zhende, p. 132; interview with Liu’s widow, Wang Guangmei, 27 Sept. 1994. Liu, SW vol. 2, pp. 306–12 (talk with peasants, 7 May 1961).

2 “We cannot go on”: Liu 1993, p. 444 (E: Liu, SW vol. 2, p. 316). Teenage son observed: interview with the man, 12 Apr. 1996.

3 –463 Chou: “no grain left”: Jin Chongji et al. 1998, p. 633. “What’s all the fuss?”: Cong Jin, pp. 482–3. 34 percent: ibid., p. 399. “How wonderful”: 9 Aug. 1962, Mao Miscellany vol. 2, pp. 22–7.

4 –464 “We have retreated”: Mao 1987–98, vol. 9, p. 555. Managers were told: by Chou, end of 1961, Jin Chongji et al. 1998, p. 656. Mao told Montgomery: Xiong Xianghui, p. 388. Bitter sentiments: Wang Dongxing report, Jan. 1961, in Ding Wang, vol. 3, pp. 457–9. “biggest worry”: PRC Encyclopaedia vol. 2, p. 2438. “so be it”: Apr. 1959, Mao 1987–98, vol. 8, pp. 196–7.

5 Designating scapegoats: 15 Nov. 1960, 23–24 Jan. 1961, Mao 1987–98, vol. 9, pp. 349–50, 425. Meteorological records: Becker, p. 283. Eat fish instead: interviews with Mao’s personal staff, Oct. 2000. European menus: SMMM, pp. 95–7. Daughter Li Na: conversation with Li Na, 25 Mar. 1993; Li Xiangwen, pp. 556, 558–60; Li Yinqiao, pp. 165–6.

6 To his staff: interviews with Mao’s personal staff, Oct. 1994, Apr. 1999, Oct. & Nov. 2000. Forgoing soap: Gong Guzhong et al., p. 152; SMMM, p. 161. Official snapped: JC father to mother, and with colleagues. “resign long ago”: Li Rui 1989, p. 60. Cursing Mao: Quan Yanchi 1991, p. 144. Peng visit home: Peng 1998, pp. 764–8; Wang Yan et al., pp. 668–76. “If the old Party charter”: Ding Shu 1991, pp. 271–2. Mao vetoed congress: Pang & Jin, pp. 1184–5.

7 “need a spur”: ibid., p. 1185. 7,00 °Conference: MacFarquhar 1997, pp. 137–81. Text of keynote speech: Liu 1993, pp. 458–67 (E: Liu, SW vol. 2, pp. 328–96); “kill time”: Dong Fu.

8 –467 Different speech: interviews with Liu’s widow Wang Guangmei, 27 Sept. 1994, 8 Nov. 1995; interview with Wang Li, 16 Oct. 1995; Liu 1993, pp. 482–96; (E: Liu, SW vol. 2, pp. 397–422). Response: Qiu Shi, vol. 1, p. 492; Li Jian et al., pp. 457–60.

9 –468 “Get their anger off”: Bo Yibo 1993, pp. 1017–19. “farts off”: Li Zhisui, p. 373 (E: p. 386). Lin Biao speech: JYZW vol. 15, pp. 105–8. Praised Lin: Pang & Jin, p. 1197. Loathing for Liu: ibid.; Liao Gailong 1993, pp. 402–3. Liu murmured: interview with Wang Guangmei, 24 Sept. 1994. Liu had hoped: Jin & Huang, p. 898. Mao “self-criticism”: JYZW vol. 15, p. 121 (E: Schram 1974, pp. 158–87).

10 –469 Aid virtually zero: Copper 1976, p. 125; Kovner, p. 612. “Every time”: Zhu Kaiyin, p. 17. “catches mice”: 7 July 1962, Deng 1989, p. 305 (E: Deng, SW vol. 1, p. 293). To Hong Kong: interview with a then CCP official in Hong Kong, 8 Oct. 2002; letter from a refugee.