Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 1

320/12–551: Telegram

The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State

confidential
niact

Paris, December 5, 1951—1 p. m.

Delga 511. Subject: Korea.

Heavy pressures from UK, Fr, Aust and Can to hold informal discussions concerning post-armistice moves Korea are building up as news from Korea gives rise to feeling armistice might soon be concluded.

Pearson (Canada) is leaving Paris for Ottawa Thurs a. m. and has requested Gross to meet 6 p. m. this evening Paris time.

In accordance with Gadel 327 [323], December 2,¹ we have rejected requests for conversations subject matter Delga 464 and 465.²

In view of Pearson’s imminent departure and his repeated request for informal exchange of views, we have found it difficult without extreme embarrassment to refuse his request. In view of explicit instruction Gadel 327 [323], urgently request Dept to authorize by Niact message purely exploratory discussion with Pearson primary object of which would be to ascertain his views. We would, of course, make it completely clear that US position still under consideration.³

Austin

1. See footnote 3, p. 1211.
2. Both dated December 1, pp. 1208 and 1210.

3. Telegram Gadel 343, December 5, to Paris, responded as follows:

   “No objection, Delga 511. Dept’s further comments Korea will fol. Since we are reviewing whole situation here with JCS, you shld carefully avoid any commitments re our position.” (320/12–551)