795B.5/4–252
1Memorandum by the United Nations Adviser to the Bureau of Far Eastern Affairs (Bacon) to the Director of the Office of Northeast Asian Affairs (Young)
Subject:
- Additional Troops for Korea.
A meeting was held on Monday, March 31 of representatives of the geographic bureaus and UNP to discuss possibilities for obtaining additional armed forces for Korea. It was agreed that further approaches might be made or that additional information might be requested from our Embassies in the cases of Luxembourg, New Zealand, Turkey and Israel; that subject to further consideration by ARA additional steps might be taken in connection with Brazil and Cuba and possibly six other Latin American states; that a further approach to Greece should be made as soon as the present crisis subsides. There was a division of opinion with regard to a further approach to Norway for specialists in winter warfare. Additional details follow.
Australia. Through its Minister of Defense, Australia recently gave some indication of a desire to withdraw its forces as soon after the conclusion of an armistice as possible. Our Embassy is at present under instructions to forestall any such premature reduction.
New Zealand. For the past six months the New Zealand Government has been in the process of preparing for a 50% increase in its forces in Korea, but there has been no recent indication of progress in this direction. No response has been made to the Department’s February 22 circular concerning the need for additional forces in Korea.2 It was agreed that the Department might ask our Embassy in New Zealand for information on recent developments.
France. In view of the situation in Indochina any further approach to France for additional troops for Korea should be deferred.
UK. In response to our last approach the UK replied that at best it could only make minor adjustments in its present contingent in Korea. In view of the situation in the Suez Canal zone a further approach to the UK at this time does not appear appropriate. There was some discussion that an approach might be made if UK troops were withdrawn from Suez.
Belgium and Luxembourg. The Belgian Government in response to our last approach gave assurances that it would continue to keep up its reserves in Korea and provide for the replacement of its losses. No further approach appeared hopeful at this time. The Luxembourg Government [Page 134] had recently issued a new appeal for volunteers. On February 22 the Department instructed our Embassy in Brussels and our Legation in Luxembourg to reaffirm the UC need for additional troops in Korea and at the same time be on guard for any indications of a desire to withdraw forces. It was decided that a further approach to the Luxembourg Government might be made inquiring concerning the result of the appeal for volunteers.
Netherlands. The Netherlands recently sent about ten fliers to Korea for training in jet aircraft. On February 22 the Department reaffirmed the position with regard to the need for additional forces and asked our Embassy to keep us advised of any indications of a desire to withdraw forces.
Norway. The Norwegian Foreign Minister in conversation with the Secretary last September suggested that possibly his Government might contribute a small contingent of winter warfare specialists. There was some discussion whether we should renew discussions with regard to these winter specialists at this time, some arguing that if we wanted the winter specialists by next winter we should start now, others arguing that a request in April for winter specialists would indicate that we expected the warfare to continue through next winter. No final decision was reached.
Denmark. The Department of Defense has informally supported General Gruenther’s view that no further approach should be made to Denmark in the light of the urgent need to increase existing forces for NATO.
Sweden. Our Embassy in Stockholm states that the former Defense Minister has filed a report advising against setting up a special Swedish UN force at this time but recommending an amendment to the conscription laws so that Swedish forces could be engaged abroad on special international tasks, subject to parliamentary approval in each instance. Our Ambassador reports that in the present situation the Swedish Government would deem it incompatible with Swedish interests to send Swedish troops abroad.
Greece. Some time ago the Greek Government had indicated a willingness to double its present forces in Korea. Two weeks ago we instructed the Embassy in Athens to withhold a further approach on this subject until the present crisis had passed. If we receive no new reports within a reasonable time the Embassy might be asked to make a fresh approach.
Turkey. The Defense Department believes that Turkey could increase its present force in Korea. It was agreed that we might suggest to our Embassy in Turkey that the question might be again mentioned.
India. Ambassador Bowles reported in January that he had made an approach on this question and would continue to keep it in mind. It [Page 135] was agreed that the Department should not take any further step for the time being with respect to India.
Israel The question of forces for Korea has been taken up twice with the Israeli Ambassador here and once through our Embassy there. No response has been received. It was agreed that the Department should call the Israeli Ambassador in again and request a reply.
Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Lebanon. We approached these countries in December and received rather unqualified negatives in January.
The Philippines and Thailand. The JCS has recommended against any further approaches to these countries at this time.
Brazil. ARA tentatively agreed that the question of additional troops for Korea might be reopened in Rio. The Department is now drafting a telegram for clearance.
Cuba. The Cuban Government made an offer of troops well over a year ago. Our Embassy checked up on it on February 27 and at present is discussing a possible offer of three planes and crews by the Cuban Government. It was agreed that in future approaches we might emphasize more strongly the need for ground troops. The Department is now drafting a telegram for clearance.
Mexico and Argentina. Both Governments have made it clear that they will not send troops to Korea.
Bolivia, Chile, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru and Uruguay. In 1950 Bolivia made a formal offer of 30 officers which was deferred by the US. The other Governments have at one time or another given some reason for hope that offers might be made but in numbers less than the minimum which the Defense Department regards as desirable. We would have difficulty in getting the Defense Department to accept these offers especially as strong assurances on the matter of reimbursement would also not be forthcoming.
It was agreed that ARA would check concerning the political desirability of going ahead with these approaches.