895.20 Mission/4–549: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the American Mission in Korea
priority
210. Dept concerned lest admin and logistical preparations now under way for evacuation and re-assignment US occ forces Korea give rise to premature and consequently embarrassing publicity on troop withdrawal plans before ground work laid with ROK and UNCOK as envisaged NSC 8/21 and before we prepared make formal announcement. While form and timing approach to ROK and UNCOK must be left your discretion, Dept therefore believes such approach shld be undertaken earliest propitious moment.
Dept believes possible adverse effect withdrawal announcement might be minimized by issuance prior statement publicizing formal estab KMAG and requests your comment on advisability replying affirmatively at this time to Pres Rhee’s requests for mil mission,2 such reply to be drafted with eye to its prompt public release for purpose mentioned.
Reurtel 262 Mar 19 reporting presentation to UNCOK of petition signed by 63 members Natl Assembly supporting US troop withdrawal,3 Dept interested any info on reactions to such petition and possible effect thereof on contemplated approach to ROK and UNCOK; also your estimate likelihood subsequent Natl Assembly [Page 981] action reversing or modifying previous resolutions opposing troop withdrawal. As you well aware, Dept anxious avoid impression US troops either withdrawn contrary wishes ROK or forced out of Korea thereby.
- Dated March 22, p. 969.↩
- See the letter dated November 2, 1948, from President Rhee to President Truman, transmitted by Mr. Muccio on November 5 in telegram 186, Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. vi, p. 1320.↩
- Telegram 262 not printed; the text of the petition, with the signatures of Kim Yak Soo, a Vice-President of the National Assembly, and 61 other members, is printed in U.N. document A/936/Add.1, p. 41.↩