501.BB/9–2348: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Special Representative in Korea (Muccio)
44. For your info, that of Pres Rhee and release to local press at your discretion, Secretary with reference to Korea, in his address before [Page 1312] GA Sept 23,1 mentioned it as one of “questions affecting world peace now before UN” on which following ends to be sought:
“A unified and independent Korea, accepted as a member of the United Nations, acting under a constitution arid a government selected by the Koreans themselves through free elections, and receiving the economic and political encouragement which it will need as it embarks upon its new life as a Korean nation.”
Only other direct reference to Korea was following:
“On the issues which call for settlement, the large powers as well as the small must submit their policies to the judgment of the world community. For this purpose appropriate forums have been established for the adjustment of differences through the impartial opinions of the international society. This process has been seriously hampered by the refusal of a group of nations to participate in certain of the important commissions established by this Assembly, such as the Balkan Commission, the Korean Commission, and the Interim Committee.
More important than this boycott, however, is the disturbing lack of cooperation which the United Nations has received in its efforts to resolve such questions as Korea and Greece and to bring about the international control of atomic energy. This persistent refusal of a small minority to contribute to the accomplishment of our agreed purposes is a matter of profound concern.”
- For text of address, see Department of State Bulletin, October 3, 1948, p. 432.↩