740.00119 Control (Korea)/1–2549
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Army (Royall)
Dear Mr. Secretary: I have your letter of January 25, 1949 in which you suggest that we discuss the withdrawal of troops from Korea at the meeting of the National Security Council on January 27.
You are, of course, aware that the Acting Secretary of State in his memorandum of January 17 to Mr. Souers asked that the Council Staff undertake a study of the entire Korean question. Pending exchange and study of the political and military aspects of the situation this Department has not yet finally formulated its position.
Accordingly, while I share your views of the urgency of the matter, I do not believe that it would be desirable for us to attempt to discuss the question of Korea and the withdrawal of United States military forces at the meeting on Thursday.
Sincerely yours,