795.00/12–2050
Memorandum by Mr. Louis Henkin of the Office of United Nations Political and Security Affairs to the Director’ of the Office of United Nations Political and Security Affairs (Bancroft)
Subject: Ambassador Gross’ Interpretation of Department’s Views on Negotiations Concerning Korea.
Delga 448 from New York, December 18, reflects an apparent misinterpretation of the Department’s views on the question of negotiations for a Korean settlement, particularly as to the forum of negotiations and the participants. I take it our position is as follows:
1. After a cease-fire is arranged, we are willing to discuss the Korean question and if necessary other Far Eastern problems.
[Page 1583]2. We are prepared to consider these questions either in an appropriate UN organ or in diplomatic discussions of a more or less formal character.
3. In a discussion in a permanent UN organ in which China is represented we are prepared to let the Peiping regime sit at the table and participate in the discussion but we will not agree to its being seated to represent China. In such organ the Chinese seat would continue to be held by the present Chinese Delegation which could, of course, exercise full rights of discussion and vote like other members.
4. If discussions are held outside the UN we are prepared to deal directly with representatives of the Peiping regime. Though we would want to be sure that any group assembled was not “loaded” against us, we have no fixed views on what other governments might participate in such negotiations. Whether the Chinese Nationalists would also take part would depend on subject of discussion. E.g., we would not wish them to participate in a discussion of Korea; they would have to take part if Formosa were discussed.
If the above represents our position it seems highly misleading to say as Delga 448 does, “The question of the forum as raised by the blank in the Asian resolution is basic and we would not accept any demand that the UN should oust the Nationals from such negotiations.”
Mr. Hickerson may want to call Ambassador Gross to clarify any misapprehensions on this matter.1
- No record of such a telephone call has been found, but see the instructions to the U.S. Mission at the United Nations contained in telegram 602, infra, which was approved by Mr. Hickerson.↩