795B.11/7–2851: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
89. President Rhee requests fol letter be delivered to President Truman.
“July 28, 1951.
“My Dear Mr. President: Our people regard the question of the re-unification of our nation with such seriousness that a rejection of this goal by the UN wld cause an inevitable reaction of bitter disillusionment with the democratic alliance upon which we have staked our natl existence. I am addressing Your Excellency directly in the hope that a solution may still be found.
“If a line of mil demarcation must be accepted as a basis for the armistice in Korea, my people want a solid assurance that such a dividing line will not again be allowed to assume polit significance. We shall agree to such a temporary mil line if the United States will guarantee that no such line will be accepted as part of the political settlement to be discussed following the cease-fire arrangements.
“Before the attack of June 25, 1950, no nation outside the Soviet orbit recognized the North Korean regime or the 38th Parallel. Now the United Nations is dealing with that regime officially and the dividing line threatens to become a part of United Nations policy. Before the attack we had only Korean Commies in the north to deal with. Now the Chinese are established there to threaten us further.
“Koreans regard the continuance of a dividing line as a death warrant for our nation. Millions of refugees returning to their ruined villages and to the ashes which were their homes will not be able to abide the abandonment of the northern half of our country by the agreement of our allies. What has happened to China could very well [Page 746] happen to us. Our people have proved strong but there is a point beyond which they cannot continue to resist.
“If Your Excellency’s Govt does not feel like making a pledge not to accept another dividing line, I might suggest as another alternative that the contending armies remain just as they are, without agreeing to a dividing line, and that meanwhile the polit discussions shall begin. That will provide full opportunity without damaging concessions to discover whether the Commie powers really do desire to reach a lasting and just settlement.
“Your momentous decision of June 27, 1950, rallied the spirits of the entire free world and offered a bright hope of preventing the outbreak of World War III. A continuance of that same spirit now will bring your bold program to a successful conclusion. The Soviet Union has come to understand that it cannot win on the battlefield and dissension has already broken out between Russia and Red China. A firm stand a little longer will achieve the result for which we are all struggling.
“With fullest expression of our high esteem for Your Excellency, I am
“Sincerely yours, (signed) Syngman Rhee.
“His Excellency Harry S. Truman.
“President of the United States of America.
“The White House.
“Washington, D.C.”