Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file
1Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the President
Subject:
- Korean Situation
I attach hereto:
- 1.
- Copy of my personal message to President Rhee of June 12 [11]2 (previously sent you).
- 2.
- Telegram from Ambassador Briggs, reporting on the reception of this message.3
- 3.
- Personal telegram from Rhee, suggesting I come to Korea.4
The importance of getting Rhee to accept the armistice can hardly be overestimated. Also, it is important to provide him some “face-saving” formula. It is possible that my acceptance of Rhee’s invitation, coupled with specific assurances given him in Korea with reference to a security pact and coordinated action in the political conference, could serve this purpose.
However, on balance, I feel that it would be a mistake for me as Secretary of State to go there before Rhee’s position on the armistice has been made clear and when he has not answered your letter. I do think, [Page 1169] however, that it might serve a useful purpose if someone of high but lesser position such as Robertson or MacArthur should go there for the purpose of explaining and developing with Rhee the reality of the post-armistice proposals which you made in relation to (a) security pact, (b) economic assistance and (c) a political program for Korean unity. He should preferably go prior to the Bermuda Conference, as Rhee will surely be suspicious that at Bermuda we will be persuaded by Churchill into a course of action lenient toward Communist China.
I believe that in this way we might get Rhee thinking more about post-armistice conditions and what these could mean for him, and that in the meanwhile he might allow the armistice to become an accomplished fact.