740.00119 Council (Korea)/5–449
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of Defense (Johnson)
Dear Mr. Secretary: In reply to your letter of May 4, I am enclosing a copy of an urgent telegram which the State Department transmitted to Ambassador Muccio at Seoul on May 9,1 and which I believe you will find self-explanatory.
While this Department shares your concern over the added expense that would be occasioned in case a delay in the implementation of withdrawal plans becomes necessary at this time, I am certain that you appreciate the necessity of so proceeding in this step as to minimize to the greatest practicable extent the risk that withdrawal might work to our disadvantage in terms of the other objectives we seek to accomplish in Korea, as set forth in the conclusions of NSC 8/2.2
With reference to your mention of “postponements by the Department of State in the past, of dates previously agreed to for the withdrawal”, you will recall that NSC 8/2 sets forth the considerations involved in the retention of U.S. forces in Korea beyond the planning date established by NSC 8, and that prior to the adoption of the conclusions of NSC 8/2, no firm withdrawal date was ever agreed to by this Department.
I have asked the appropriate officers of this Department to give their continuing attention to this question and to keep the National Military Establishment fully informed on all developments.
Sincerely yours,