357.AD/7–1151
The Secretary of State to the Agent General of the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency ( Kingsley )
Sir: Reference is made to my letter of March 29, 1951 and to your reply of April 16, 19511 regarding an understanding to govern relations in the present phase between the United Nations instrumentalities in Korea, the United Nations Command, and the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency.
As a result of your letter of April 16 and further consideration of the problem by the Unified Command, it is now proposed that relations between the United Nations Command and the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency be established in accordance with the following provisions:
1. The responsibility of the United Nations Command for the operation of the United Nations Command programs of relief and shortterm economic aid will continue until such time as the military operations will permit the transfer of this responsibility to UNKRA. The time for this transfer will be determined in accordance with the General Assembly resolution of December 1, 1950, namely, by agreement of the Unified Command, the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea and the Agent General. It is not possible to estimate at this time when this transfer will take place but with a view to making the transfer as smooth as possible, it is desired to introduce UNKRA into the entire operation as it progresses.
2. Two phases are envisaged:
- (1)
- The period starting upon your acceptance of these proposals during which the responsibilities of the United Nations Command and UNKRA will be as defined below. This period will terminate when military operations permit and as agreed by the Unified Command, the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea and the Agent General.
- (2)
- The period starting at the termination of phase (1) when UNKRA has assumed responsibility and is possibly being assisted [Page 657] by the United Nations Command, principally in the field of procurement and transportation.
3. During phase (1) the United Nations Command will have sole responsibility for all relief and short-term economic aid essential to the military operations. UNKRA will have responsibility for long-range planning and high level technical assistance to the Korean Government and for any program of economic aid additional to the United Nations Command program which the military situation may permit UNKRA to implement.
4. In phase (2) UNKRA will have responsibility for all United Nations relief and rehabilitation activities, being assisted possibly by the United Nations Command in the field of procurement and transportation.
5. During phase (1) UNKRA personnel operating in Korea would consist of two groups as follows:
- a.
- The first group consisting of a small group of governmental economic and industrial technical advisers and personnel engaged in long-range planning who will operate as a group under the direction of the Agent General and be responsible to him.
- b.
- The second group will consist of personnel engaged in programming, short-range planning, determining requirements, and actually supplying for the needs of relief and short-range rehabilitation and reconstruction. Personnel in this group may be integrated in staffs or units of the United Nations Command. The duties of the personnel in this operating group will be as prescribed by the United Nations Command.
6. The responsibilities of the UNKRA personnel in the first group would be as follows:
- a.
- Technical advice and assistance to the Korean Government.
- b.
- Planning for long-range rehabilitation and reconstruction of Korea.
- c.
- Implementation, to the extent permitted by the military situation, of any program of economic aid additional to the United Nations Command program.
- d.
- Assisting the operating group by recommendations and in certain cases when called upon, by advice as to specific problems. Close coordination with the second group will be an essential part of the responsibilities of the first group.
- e.
- Such plans or recommendations as may be made will be coordinated with the United Nations Command for determination as to whether or not they affect the Mission of the United Nations Command. Any plans or recommendations which in the opinion of the United Nations Command affect its Mission will be implemented only with the concurrence of the United Nations Command. Approved plans requiring implementation by the United Nations Command will be carried out by its operating agencies in accordance with current procedures.
7. The United Nations Command will be responsible for the logistic support of both groups.
These arrangements are considered workable only if the procedures set forth above for ensuring close coordination and avoiding any action by UNKRA which would conflict with the military necessities are carefully observed. The final authority and control of the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, on the ground during hostilities are not intended to be affected by these arrangements.
If these proposals are acceptable, will you please advise us as soon as possible so that the understanding may be officially communicated to the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command and put into operation promptly.2
Very truly yours,
Assistant Secretary of State of the United States of America