320/11–550: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations
Gadel 95. ReDelga 232 Nov 3. With respect Par(a) urtel suggest that if IC desires to formulate such principles they be drawn in broadest possible term so as not to limit ability CINCUNC to make full use of all resources, facilities, services and personnel made available to him by all participating govts including Govt ROK in carrying out difficult task entrusted to Unified Command by IC resolution of Oct 12. Principle that South Koreans may be used north of 38° for only technical and security purposes raises difficult question of definition of terms “South Koreans” and “technical and security purposes”. As IC is aware several millions persons unwilling to accept Communist domination moved from north of 38th parallel to south since 1945. Also, virtually without exception all personnel of the NK regime at all levels have left their posts. It would manifestly be impracticable and undesirable to require CINCUNC to use in other than technical or security positions only those elements of the NK population left in the area at the time of occupation by UN forces and prevent his use of former residents of the area who have now returned to their homes and who are sufficiently well qualified to assume positions of responsibility in civil affairs and who have intimate knowledge of the local population and problems of the occupied area.
It is believed that only limiting principle should be that all personnel, including Govt ROK personnel, used by CINCUNC in administration NK should be responsible only to CINCUNC and should in no way represent Govt ROK or exercise its authority north of 38th parallel. Govt ROK has already accepted this principle.
Any principles proposed by IC should be assessed in light of Civil Affairs Directive to General MacArthur which it is believed constitutes sound and workable basis for carrying out occupation consistent with views of UN as expressed by GA and IC resolutions. If considered desirable you are authorized to discuss in strict confidence full text of directive with IC. As it is view of General MacArthur that any public release of directive prior to cessation of major hostilities would possibly have adverse effect upon combat troops under his command as well as upon Govt ROK important that contents of directive not be directly or indirectly made public at this time.
Request that currency question (Gadel 84 Oct 31) be discussed with IC in light of principles formulated with view of immediately obtaining firm views of IC as urgent decision be reached Nov 6. In [Page 1049] addition to points for your guidance in Gadel 84, another consideration favoring use of ROK currency is time element. ROK currency is immediately available while making of plates and printing of UN scrip would require at minimum several weeks.
Instructions on requested report to IC on military situation will follow.1
- Not printed.↩