895.01/3–2147: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Political Adviser in Korea ( Langdon )
43. With reference to Rhee statement which will be carried by Press [Page 621] services,42 Department’s press officer today made following remarks in press conference:
“These are simply suppositions put forward by Dr. Rhee. As the Acting Secretary stated yesterday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the interested departments of the Government are considering plans for a more effective implementation of our policy and program in Korea. It is hoped that a public announcement with regard to these plans can be made within a matter of weeks.
As Mr. Acheson indicated, it is the intention of this Government now, as in the past, to strengthen Korean economy and also to bring Koreans more and more into positions of administrative responsibility in preparation for carrying out our commitment that Korea shall become a united self-governing independent nation.
Then there were other stories in the press this morning that we had given up all hope of further negotiations with the Russians and were going ahead on our own. I would like to correct that. As we have said repeatedly, we are willing to go ahead with negotiations with the Russians at any time on the unification of Korea under the terms of the Moscow Agreement.
Q. Then you have not given up all hope, is that it?
A. No.”43
- Dr. Rhee predicted an interim independent government in Korea to replace the American military government within 30 to 60 days; this was reported in the New York Times, March 22, 1947, p. 4, col. 6.↩
- In telegram 120, April 4, 8 p.m., to Tokyo, the Department reported that Syngman Rhee was due to reach Tokyo by special plane on April 10 en route to China and was traveling in private capacity. This telegram was repeated to Nanking, Shanghai, and Seoul. (895.01/4–447) Dr. Rhee returned to Seoul by Chinese plane on April 21.↩