795.00/7–1850: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 18—7:44 p. m.]
398. Eyes only for the Secretary. Foreign Office states that copies of Kelly’s reports on conversation with Gromyko sent Franks as well as copies of correspondence between Prime Minister and Nehru1 and that these documents will be shown to you.
Decision not yet taken as to next move in Gromyko–Kelly conversations. We are assured, however, that no further instruction in this connection will be sent Kelly until full consultation with you. Thinking on official level Foreign Office inclined to belief that Kelly should hand written statement to Gromyko, drafted with eye to future publication with special emphasis on fact that Gromyko stated in first interview that Soviet Government desired peaceful settlement in Korea and that UK suggestion that Security Council resolution be carried out and North Korean troops withdrawn north of 38th parallel was wholly ignored in Gromyko’s last communication. Foreign Office officials are not optimistic that Soviets would agree to use influence on North Koreans to withdraw but feel that Gromyko’s most recent statement should not be left as a last word.
[Page 422]There is a general feeling here of complete disapproval of Nehru’s intervention and a belief that it has done considerable harm.