795.00/3–1351
The Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Hickerson) to the United States Deputy Representative at the United Nations (Gross)
Dear Ernie: The way you handled the conversation with Trygve Lie, as described in your letter of March 10, seems to me entirely right. I agree particularly that it would be very dangerous to tamper with the minimum conditions for a satisfactory cease-fire which you and General Crittenberger submitted to the previous cease-fire group. While these points are several months old, we would probably stick [Page 228] to them. That question is now being checked over at the Pentagon.
Trygve Lie’s suggestion for an approach to the North Koreans is an interesting one, though I personally don’t have much faith in its effectiveness to bring about peace. Of course, if Peiping wishes to act out of the war and the Soviet Union is also willing to liquidate the Korean affair, the North Korean authorities could serve as the dummy for bringing this about. I do not see much evidence, however, of a disposition by Peiping and Moscow to settle the Korean question. The two experiences in December to which Lie refers in his draft letter to Phil, took place too long ago, and, particularly in view of the intervening fighting, would not encourage me very much in the hope that Russia and Communist China are ready for peace.
Unless both Peiping and Moscow really want peace, the approach to North Korea could not result in peace. I doubt also that it would result in creating friction between Peiping and Moscow. On the other hand, it might be construed as an effort to drive a wedge between the North Koreans and the Chinese Communists and might make the work of the Good Offices Committee more difficult.
These are my own views for your information. In any conversations with Trygve Lie or the Good Offices Committee, you should indicate that if the Good Offices Committee believes it would serve a useful purpose to approach the North Korean authorities, the United States certainly would not wish to make any objection. The mandate of the Good Offices Committee, under the February 1 resolution, would seem broad enough to authorize them to approach anyone at all in the hope of bringing about a cessation of hostilities in Korea. We have repeatedly made it clear that we do not wish in any way to interfere with or inject ourselves into any efforts to bring about a peaceful settlement.
Sincerely yours,