Office of the Historian

740.00119 Control (Korea)/4–1249: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea 1

secret
priority
Washington, April 21, 1949—3 p. m.

268. Army has furnished fol comments re points raised last three paras urtel 374 Apr 12:

1.
Problem estab arsenal for repair Jap weapons and mfr ammo therefor must be resolved in FE where necessary Jap machinery presumably available.2
2.
45 US vessels now “on loan” Korean CG being transferred ROK under OFLC (Warx 85775 Mar 18).3
3.
Requisitions for maintenance items and spare parts now being filled partially (about $35,000) from Army stocks while remainder consisting spare parts CG vessels and other strictly marine items (about $200,000) now before JMAC as matter priority for decision as to which Dept of NME will provide.
4.
The sum tentatively allocated Korea under pending mil assistance program insufficient purchase additional patrol boats at $1.4 million each (even in unlikely event they available) without seriously depleting funds required for maintenance other components.
5.
Request for arsenal has been recd by Army from Min Defense. Additional technical info requested from CG USAFIK thru CINCFE (Warx 85456 Mar 8)4 upon receipt which request will be submitted JMAC consideration.
6.

20 liaison-type planes have been provided of which 15 understood operational; no others contemplated. No plans exist for transfer transport aircraft to ROK.

End Army comments.

Subj receipt ur comments State will endeavor expedite decisions paras 3 and 5 and will look further into 4 and 6.

Acheson
  1. Mr. Muccio presented his credentials as American Ambassador to the Republic of Korea on April 20, 1949.↩
  2. Concerning U.S. support of the arsenal program, see Sawyer, Military Advisors in Korea, p. 99.↩
  3. Not printed.↩
  4. Not printed.↩