795.00/5–1151: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative at the United Nations (Gross) to the Secretary of State
1525. Re Korea (supplementing mytel No. 1524, May 11). Rau has not communicated with us re his suggestion reported in mytel No. 1524. However, during the day I have had opportunity to learn more about matter in separate conversations with Grafstrom and Padilla and find that Padilla’s report concerning Rau’s suggestion may not have accurately described Rau’s thinking. According to Grafstrom’s version of Rau conversation with GOC, Rau apparently was completely vague on the subject of conditions assuring the security of UN forces. His suggestion apparently was at first limited to the adoption of a GA resolution (after adoption of strategic embargo resolution) which would declare intention of UN forces not to cross 38th parallel if ChiComs [Page 434] and NK authorities where to issue similar declaration. I gathered from Grafstrom that problem of methods to assure security of UN forces was brought into conversation by GOC members rather than on Rau’s initiative. In response to inquiries on this aspect of the matter, Rau apparently made some vague comments to effect that UN would have to satisfy itself on this point. In response to further questioning, he expressed ‘assumption UC would speak for UN on this problem, inasmuch as it involved military considerations primarily.
After talking with Grafstrom, I asked Padilla for further clarification on his report to me yesterday. He did not deny accuracy of Grafstrom’s summary. In fact, he added that the reason he withheld comment to Rau was that he and other members of GOC stressed to Rau the importance of obtaining US reactions.
Both Grafstrom and Padilla expressed the view that Rau had no very clear ideas on the subject and probably had not communicated with me because he was “still thinking it over.”
I took the occasion to stress with both Padilla and Grafstrom the importance of weighing very carefully any suggestions by Rau along this line before giving him encouragement. I reminded them that in our frequent dealings with Rau, he had often advanced on his own responsibility ideas which he had not thought through or made precise. Both Padilla and Grafstrom said they would be careful to avoid giving Rau encouragement and would continue to emphasize in their discussions with him the importance of giving us the opportunity to comment upon any suggestions before he raised them with others.