357.AD/8–2450: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received August 24—1:17 p. m.]
357. Re tentative statement of UNCOK views on political settlement in Korea, our 266 of August 11, and Department’s view in its 168 of August 191 that we reserve comment in order to get wholly independent expression from Commission.
Preliminary US–UK conversations reported in our 342 of August 212 indicate French desire that no such far reaching conclusions be put forward now, and we understand this view is shared by UK. In light of this fact and considering that France is a member of UNCOK, our recommendation is that we indicate to SYG concurrence with view that conclusions should not be formulated now. This would be without prejudice to UNCOK presenting these conclusions or others during course of GA, perhaps as supplement to report, or perhaps in response to GA request as suggested by Chauvel.
We agree with SYG that situation is fluid and that it is undesirable to freeze any plan by reducing it officially to writing, as Cordier’s letter suggests (our 269, August 123). Suggested position would give us free hand to consider these tentative suggestions in light of Indian Advisory Council idea. This would also have some advantage for India as member of UNCOK. Since UNCOK is an instructed commission we feel it difficult to play a more complete hands off role than suggested above.