501.BB Korea/4–2848: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
priority
280. Cite Zpol 548. At plenary session this morning UNTCOK decided that, having found a “reasonable degree of free atmosphere” it would proceed with observation of election on May 10.1 Understand that vote was 5 for and 3 abstentions, viz: Patterson, Mughir and Paul Boncour. The first two abstained for reasons as yet unknown and the last because he feels that more than reasonable degree exists.
Commission begins this afternoon discussion of what it will do after the election. Therefore, any guiding directive on that subject which the Department may wish to try to have the Secretariat at Lake Success send to UNTCOK or Secretariat here should be expedited.
- UNTCOK press release 57, April 28, on this subject was quoted in telegram 283, April 29, from Seoul, not printed. For text released by the UN Department of Public Information on April 28, see Department of State Bulletin, May 30, 1948, p. 700.↩