120. Letter From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Gray) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson)1

Dear Walter : I have your letters of February 13 and February 15,2 and I am glad to be brought up to date on the negotiations with respect to the removal of the NNIT in Korea to the Demilitarized Zone.

Addressing myself first to the last paragraph of your letter of February 15, I do not know what would lead us to believe that President Rhee would notify us of a proposed renewal of demonstrations. I would expect any demonstrations to be initiated without our knowledge. In such circumstances if the policy we adopted in the past prevailed, we would be inhibited from taking any action to [Page 224] remove the teams. It is clear to me that we cannot again allow ourselves to be put in such a position.

I wish to remind you that President Rhee’s commitment to the moratorium on demonstrations will end on about March 8. The Department of Defense is firmly of the view that the teams cannot continue as they are beyond this date.

I agree with you that we should emphasize to the Swiss and Swedes our continued and urgent interest in a prompt solution. I also believe, however, that whatever we say to the Swiss and Swedes, if they have not accomplished the purpose through diplomatic negotiations by the first of March, we should on that date take unilateral action. I see no reason why they should not be informed of our intention and plan, but would defer to your judgment in respect to that particular matter.

You will recall that we were assured that the Swiss-Swede approach would get results in the latter half of January. Nevertheless, we find ourselves in the latter half of February without definitive action.

In view of our conviction that the teams must be removed by March 1 by one means or another, I suggest that our respective staffs meet immediately to make such preparations as may be necessary for unilateral action, if that be required.

Sincerely,

Gordon Gray

P.S. As you may know, I depart this afternoon for the NATO meeting in Paris. I should appreciate your dealing with Lt. General Alonso P. Fox, who is the responsible officer in connection with this matter in my absence.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795.00/2–1856. Secret.
  2. See footnote 5, Supra .