890.20/8–849: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
991. Following text joint statement issued by President Rhee and Chiang Kai-shek at end their conversation Chinhae eighth:
“We had a two-day conversation in the seaport of Chinhae, Korea and had full exchange of views concerning the formation of a union of Asiatic or Pacific countries.
“We are happy to state that the conversations have resulted in the following agreement; we both recognize that the menace of international Communism, incompatible with human freedom and national independence, must be eradicated, and to combat this common threat we must strive collectively as well as individually. Security can only be strengthened by solidarity.
“We are strongly of the opinion that countries of the Pacific in general, and Far Eastern countries in particular, are facing a greater danger from international Communism today than any other part of the world. Solidarity and concerted action among these countries is more urgently needed than elsewhere. It is our firm belief that the world cannot be free if Asia is to go under, and mankind cannot afford to be divided into half free men and half slave.
“Basing on the above considerations, we have arrived at full agreement concerning the idea of a union as conceived in the joint statement issued by President Quirino of the Philippines and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek on 12 July, 1949 at Baguio.
“We both agreed further that the President of the Philippines should be requested to take all necessary steps to bring about the birth of the proposed union. For this purpose we are asking President Quirino to convene in the immediate future at Baguio a preliminary conference to devise concrete measures for its organization.”
Sent Department 991; repeated Manila 26, Canton and CINCFE.