795.00/6–2950: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union
top secret
niact
niact
Washington, June 29,
1950—8 a. m.
JUNE 29, 1950
(Thursday)
549. For Kirk from Rusk (TopSec). Following undoubtedly fully understood by you but are my last minute thoughts prior your conversation with Gromyko:
- 1.
- There can be no possible doubt but that North Korean forces committed an unprovoked aggression. Our complete knowledge of the facts eliminates any possibility of South Korean aggression.
- 2.
- UN Security Council resolutions are entirely legal and fully based upon the charter and the generally accepted practice of the UN. Security Council has for years acted on the basis that absence by permanent member does not constitute veto and Soviet Union itself directly assisted in establishing that precedent. No illegality can arise from presence of Chinese National Government since UN must determine by regular parliamentary procedure any question of credentials or authority respecting the right to vote.
- 3.
- The only practicable solution to present Korean situation is immediate withdrawal of North Korean forces behind 38 parallel. This is without prejudice to our view that UN should be permitted to carry out its plan of unifying Korea by peaceful means under existing UN resolutions.
- 4.
- US action in Korean situation is based solely upon desire to support UN effort to maintain peace.
- 5.
- We have had an overwhelming response from the nations and peoples of the world in support of the UN action and consequent US action. We believe Soviet Union must be impressed by the strength of this disinterested opinion which suggests USSR should act promptly as already proposed by us to use its influence to obtain withdrawal North Korean forces.
[Rusk]
Acheson