795.00/7–550: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 5—1: 46 p. m.]
42. Indian Ambassador Radhakrishnan told Embassy officer at July 4 reception that he had not yet received any reply from Soviets to his July 1 démarche re Korea. Asked whether he intended “to return to the charge”, he replied, “Goodness, no” (Delhi’s 16, July 3 to Department). He anxiously inquired whether US would permit use Chinese Nationalist troops in Korea and appeared relieved when told that published US reply to Chinese offer indicated negative attitude on our part.
Radhakrishnan also asked whether “we intended stop at 33th parallel” and speculated about political future of Korea after cessation hostilities. While saying that perhaps all that could be expected would be restoration of status quo line, he thought that military defeat of North Korean forces might create possibility holding all-Korea elections under UN auspices as basis for Korean unification under some kind of UN guarantee. He doubted UNCOK could accomplish this objective and considered appointment either smaller UN group or single “UN Commissioner” preferable instrument. From long-term viewpoint he wondered whether we could expect Koreans not to be influenced in their political orientation by their proximity to USSR and Communist China, adding, however, that with Stalin’s demise, he thought Mao1 would cut his apron-strings which now tie him to Kremlin.
At end conversation Radhakrishnan referred to earlier remarks he had made to effect that “when chips are down, India would be with US” and said that GOI stand on Korea was confirmation this prediction.
While Embassy agrees that there is some justification for Bajpai’s remarks on Radhakrishnan’s “wooliness” (Delhi’s 16) all evidence [Page 303] here points to fact that on Korean issue at least he has taken firm stand along with US and other UN members. This connection Indian Counselor Kapur recently told Embassy officer that latter should not be deceived by his Ambassador’s apparent naiveté and vagueness and that he himself had learned that behind facade was very observant and realistic mind.
Department pass New Delhi, USUN. Repeated information New Delhi 4, USUN 6.
- Mao Tse-tung, Chairman of the Central People’s Government Council of the People’s Republic of China.↩