890.20/5–2049: Telegram

The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State

573. English language questions and answers at President Rhee’s press conference today related exclusively to problem of Pacific pact. Following text exchanges between Rhee and foreign correspondents:

“Secretary of State Acheson is quoted as having said yesterday to a press conference that the time is not right for a Pacific pact, in view of the disturbed situation in certain countries in Asia. Do you care to comment on this, Mr. President?

“Answer: I really do not know what Secretary Acheson was referring to when he referred to disturbed situations in Asia. I think a Pacific pact will be beneficial not only to Asia but to the United States. But if the United States does not take kindly to the idea, I think that Asia as a whole can take action. I think there are a good many countries, like the Philippines, Australia, and some of the South American states bordering on the Pacific, which will be interested in a pact. Later on, the United States may be ready to participate in a pact.

“Question: Mr. President, have any concrete steps been taken by any other countries to negotiate a Pacific pact?

“Answer: No concrete steps have been taken by other countries, as far as I know. But some messages have been exchanged in some quiet way, and some countries themselves have indicated that they are interested.

“Question: Mr. President, you just said that some messages have been exchanged in connection with a Pacific pact, and that some countries have indicated their interest in a pact. I wonder if you could tell us what countries have exchanged messages or expressed interest?

“Answer: I think it is a little bit premature for me to mention what countries are participating. You know that the State Department is not in favor of the pact. And you know that the other day the Australian Foreign Minister1 declared in favor of the pact. About the South American states, I would rather not make any statement.

“Question: Secretary Acheson said that in Europe preliminary discussions had taken place before the negotiation of the North Atlantic Pact, but that they had not yet taken place in Asia or the Pacific. Do you care to comment on this, Mr. President?

“Answer: I think I had better not start a discussion on this question. I know there are reasons for Secretary Acheson’s policy. However, countries are interested in the pact.

“Question: Acheson stated that the pact was not feasible now because of disturbances in certain areas of Asia but when affairs resolved themselves talks could begin again. Do you care to comment, Mr. President, on the disturbed situations, especially in China, and their relation to the pact?

“Answer: I think that reason is very weak. All democratic nations should not wait, but should take definite action and help build up the democratic camp, instead of remaining neutral. They should settle the [Page 1145] Communist problem in favor of the democratic countries. I do not see why the democratic countries should not band together and form a defense bloc. If we open up a Pacific pact and invite the Kuomintang, I think that this is strengthening the democratic elements in China rather than weakening them. The democratic nations must stand together and show some backbone, rather than standing individually. In the First and Second World Wars the democratic nations got the worst of it. Why? The totalitarian powers stuck together and took the democratic countries one by one. Hang together or hang separately. I think in China all the democratic nations of the world are abandoning rather than helping democratic elements.”

Sent Department; repeated CINCFE.

Muccio
  1. Herbert V. Evatt, Australian Minister for External Affairs.