17. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State1

877. Tokyo pass CINCUNC, CG AFFE/Army Eight and CAG. DA 9755052 discussed this morning Tokyo. As indicated Embtel 851 rptd Tokyo 580,3 I envisage harassing delays in procedure outlined para three which may be exploited by Communists and I saw little prospect of MAC action favorable to US. The considerable present risk of explosive situation in ROK (Ref CINCUNC 71216 for JCS Jan 24)4 may be aggravated by delays. Therefore unless Dept able obtain effective withdrawal commitment from Swiss and Swedes UNC should be prepared act along lines para four whenever local situation demands.

Briggs
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795.00/2–755. Top Secret; Priority. Repeated to Tokyo.
  2. Document 14.
  3. In telegram 851 from Seoul, February 1, the Embassy called attention to CINCUNC telegram C–71309, January 31 (see footnote 3, Document 10). The Embassy agreed that it might prove necessary in the last analysis to declare paragraphs 13c and 13d of the Armistice Agreement invalid, but the first step should be to formulate a U.S. reply to the Swiss and Swedes.
  4. See footnote 2, Document 14.