Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 1

795.00/2–2351: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

secret

Washington, February 27, 1951—8 p. m.

3955. Reurtel 4595 Feb 23 conversation Rusk and Austral Amb followed lines Depcirtel 487 Feb 18¹ and statement alternatives attributed Rusk distortion conversation. Amb inquired whether US wld prefer attempt at polit solution for all Korea which wld run risk ending in ultimate Communization entire country or whether we wld prefer restoration status quo which might insure at least South Korea remaining non-Commie. Rusk replied risk always present Korea but we wld not wish abandon our basic objectives for unification Korea and estab democratic Govt. When Amb in pursuing hypothetical point narrowed choice to non-Commie South Korea or a Communized unified Korea, Rusk agreed we wld certainly prefer former.

Webb

1. Not printed; it was based upon and transmitted the information contained in telegram 719, February 17, to New York, p. 178.