Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the President1
secret
Washington, June 4, 1953.
Subject:
- Communist Proposal
In connection with our telephone conversation this afternoon,2 the following are Murphy’s comments on the June 4 Communist proposal.
- “1. Initial examination of Communist proposal indicates substantial acceptance of UN May 25 proposal. In some respects example formula for release non-repatriates to civilian status far exceeds our most optimistic expectation.
- “2. Barring unforeseen developments, it appears that PW issue has been solved.
- “3. Results June 4 meeting will be relayed by Clark to Rhee June 5, 1500. If circumstances justify, Rhee would then be given our assurances on security treaty.
- “4. Murphy has recommended that at close of Executive Session a joint UN–Communist communiqué on PW agreement be issued to avoid conflict of interpretation. Murphy has recommended to Clark, who agrees, that US personnel now supervising PW camps be augmented by mixture of other UN personnel. Thus if ROK resistance encountered US will not be pin-pointed and will share whatever burdens may develop with our Allies. Clark and Murphy suspect at some point ROK’s may seek engineer irregular release of some North Korean non-repatriated PW’s.
- “5. Clark expects some days may be absorbed in discussion demarkation line due ebb and flow of battle during past weeks.
- “6. Clark and Murphy foresee little hindrance to consummation agreement shortly.”
John Foster
Dulles
- A copy of this memorandum, located in file 795.00/6–453, indicated that Dulles himself drafted this communication for the President.↩
- Murphy’s comments, which are summarized in this memorandum, were contained in telegram 3798 from Tokyo, June 4, 1953, not printed. (795.00/6–453) No record was found of this telephone conversation.↩