330/6–2750: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
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[Received June 27—4:42 p. m.]
1012. Uriel 844.1 Belgian Foreign Office immediately informed substance your message. I met shortly afterwards, at Van Zeeland’s2 invitation, with Prime Minister Duvieusart, Van Zeeland, and Minister National Defense Moreau de Melen. Initial reaction these members Belgian Government is gratification that US has proceeded within framework of UN in Korean issue. They felt generally Belgian public [Page 208] would welcome USG’s attitude. Matter will be considered by entire Cabinet, Van Zeeland promised to instruct Belgian delegate UN to cooperate fully. Prime Minister and Minister National Defense inquired what action if any Belgians should take at this stage. I suggested that it was important that Belgian public be fully and accurately informed and that chiefs of Belgian military establishments be provided with accurate information.
Van Zeeland asked a number of questions regarding the sentence “In circumstances President has ordered US air and sea forces to give cover and support to ROK forces.” In the event that it is possible to provide additional data defining the words “cover” and “support” it would be appreciated.
It was assumed that President’s reasons for calling upon the Chinese Government in Formosa to cease all sea and air operations against mainland was to avoid provocation of Soviets direct action in that theater. This part of the message, however, is not clearly understood here and if Department is able to provide additional background, it would also be appreciated.
Van Zealand said that Belgian Government took an extremely grave view of the Korean development and felt that it brought nearer a generalized conflict. He stressed again that Belgium would live up to its obligations thus far taken and again expressed satisfaction over US policy in proceeding within framework of UN.
Department pass Moscow; repeated info Paris 194, London 213, Frankfort 72, Moscow 6, The Hague 83, Rome 30.