795.00/2–2151: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
priority
2203. 1. Bajpai told me today in utmost confidence for my own information and not for my government or for discussion with British with whom he had not discussed matter that he had recently despatched telegram Panikkar asking him explore whether Commie Chinese might not be willing at this juncture when lines at 38th parallel are almost restored to agree to unconditional cease-fire which could perhaps be followed by conference with agenda similar to that contained in GA resolution of January 13. He had asked Panikkar remind Chinese that this agenda had provided for consideration Formosa question in light international commitments which had been interpreted by GOI to mean in accordance with Cairo and Potsdam declarations. He did not know whether Peiping would be disposed agree cease-fire under such conditions. Recent telegram from Panikkar had indicated that Commie Chinese much encouraged by recent Stalin pronouncements which Chinese Commies were interpreting as promise Stalin to give more support to them in Korean campaign.1 Peiping may not be disposed make any concessions in view its belief it will receive additional aid from Russia. Bajpai added he assumed that this must be what Russians wanted.
2. Bajpai said that it was possible in any event Peiping would not wish to have dealings just now with UN or any agency UN. If it would be willing have any discussions at all it might insist they be carried on through diplomatic channels. There was faint possibility that during early stages groundwork for cease-fire could be arranged through diplomatic channels although of course UN would eventually come into picture.
[Page 188]3. I regret necessity sending this Department despite Bajpai’s enjoinder. Am doing so because feelers to Panikkar may lead to developments which may embarrass US and Department may wish give guidance to Steere2 in my absence in case Bajpai mentions matter him. I told Bajpai I would tell Steere of our conversation.
- On February 16, Soviet Premier Stalin, responding to a series of questions from a Pravda correspondent, criticized the United Nations for declaring the People’s Republic of China an aggressor in Korea and warned that body against rejection of the PRC’s peace proposals for Korea and the Far East. He particularly ridiculed the assertion that the United States had “… the right to defend its security on the territory of Korea and at the borders of China, while China and Korea have no right to defend their security on their own territory or at the borders of their states.” The texts of the questions and answers are printed in Keesing’s Contemporary Archives, 1950–1952, p. 11303.↩
- Loyd V. Steere, Counselor of Embassy in New Delhi.↩