895.00/3–2248
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Northeast Asian Affairs (Allison)
Subject: Korean Elections.
Mr. Ralph Collins of the Canadian Embassy called on me this morning and read me the gist of new instructions which have been sent to Mr. Patterson, the Canadian Representative on the UN Temporary Commission on Korea. These instructions were substantially as follows:
[Page 1158]The Canadian Government believes a useful purpose was served by Mr. Patterson’s calling attention to the constitutional requirements and procedures necessary to be followed by UNTCOK and that the vote of March 12 was a recognition of the irregular character of the previous informal Commission decision to hold elections; however the Canadian Government has reviewed the whole problem and now believes that Mr. Patterson should be instructed and is so instructed to resume normal participation in the activities of the Commission, without taking too prominent a part. In sending these instructions the Canadian Government is mindful of the fact that the Commission may at any time decide to withdraw from Korea should it determine that conditions make impossible the proper performance of its functions.
The Canadian Embassy has stated that the above information was given on the understanding that the United States would treat it as strictly confidential and make no reference to it until events in Korea make evident that new instructions have been given Patterson.1
- Telegram 183, March 24, from Seoul, reported the Canadian representative had informed UNTCOK by letter on March 13 of his new instructions authorizing him to take part in activities of the commission (501.BB Korea/3–2448).↩