357.AD/4–1151: Telegram
The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State
1392. Appeal by UNCURK to NK people and political leaders. Remytels 1383, 1359 and 1350 and Deptel 824,1 and telecons April 11, Brown-Sandifer.2
[Page 334]Following are texts two “strictly confidential” cables dated April 11 from Stavropoulos to Secretariat, given us by Malania (UN).3 USUN comments follow in next number telegram.
First Cable.
“I communicated members of Commission SYG’s suggestion for delay and strongly supported it but with exception of Plimsoll, all others favoured sending immediate message to Entezam. At today’s meeting even Plimsoll,4 although reluctant, voted text. As you will see argumentation is very weak. Their action is motivated by desire to take some part present effort. Do not believe that the communication by itself will produce any harm and if as I would expect Entezam advises appeal will conflict with other plans I believe Commission will not proceed further. However since Chile, Pakistan, Netherlands, Thailand suggested that they have agreement their govts for making appeal, I suggest that you contact their individual dels to correlate action.”
Second cable.
“Please communicate following message from Commission to Entezam.
- ‘1. The UNCURK is considering an approach by Commission at present time to people and political leaders of NK to discuss all questions relating to establishment of an independent, unified, and democratic Korea. This approach could be made by means of radio broadcasts from Tokyo and UN headquarters.
- ‘2. Members of the Commission hold no exaggerated hopes about success of such a move, but feel that there is a possibility that present military situation, which has forced the Chinese armies into a limited withdrawal, may have produced necessary psychological reaction in the minds of the leaders of both NK and Chi forces opposing us, to make them more receptive to an approach by the representative body of UN in Korea.
- ‘3. Such an action on part of Commission would serve to emphasize once more that the UN desire the unification of Korea, which is believed to be the common aspiration of people in this country.
- ‘4. The offer might serve to demonstrate fact that interests of NK’s and Chinese assisting them are not the same.
- ‘5. The Commission feels, in consequence, that there is at least a possibility of taking advantage of the situation, at a time when military developments are favourable to UN.
- ‘6. The Commission, before deciding upon such a step, would greatly appreciate your views on the subject in order to avoid any inconsistency or conflict with any actions that GOC or other competent groups or bodies may be contemplating.’
Commission requests that a copy above message be communicated by you to each of dels represented on Commission.”
Dept may wish relay to Pusan.
- Telegrams 1350 from New York and 824 to New York, both dated March 30, are printed on p. 283; telegram 1359, April 4, from New York, is printed on p. 292. Telegram 1383, April 11, from New York is not printed; it indicated no change in Secretary-General Lie’s position that it would be premature at this time for UNCURK to make an appeal to North Korea (357.AD/4–951).↩
- Benjamin Brown, Deputy Executive Secretary of the U.S. Mission at the United Nations, and Durward V. Sandifer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs.↩
- Leo Malania, Special Assistant to Andrew W. Cordier who was Executive Assistant to U.N. Secretary-General Lie.↩
- James Plimsoll, Australian Representative to UNCURK.↩