Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Korea, Volume XV, Part 2

S/S–NSC files, lot 63 D 351, NSC 118 Series

Memorandum by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Sandifer) to the Secretary of State¹

secret

[Washington,] June 17, 1953.

Subject:

• Additional United Nations Forces for Korea.

Discussion:

At the President’s direction the attached letter from Ambassador Lodge² which proposes that the United States “start a renewed and vigorous campaign to get more troops from other members of the United Nations for service in Korea” has been circulated for consideration by the NSC.

Recommendation:

It is recommended the Secretary take the following position at the NSC meeting:

1. Regardless of the outcome of the armistice negotiations, forces must be maintained in Korea for an indefinite period. We believe that additional forces from other UN Members can be secured if the present reimbursement policy is retained, except that the Department of State,³ rather than the President and the NSC, in consultation with the Defense and Treasury Departments shall be authorized (a) to waive, in appropriate cases, part or all of the cost of the logistic support provided to forces already participating in the Korean operation, and (b) to offer equipment, training and maintenance at no cost or at partial cost in appropriate cases in order to retain present forces or obtain new forces. The three Departments should take into account the political, military, and economic factors involved in each case, including the effect on the financial obligations already undertaken by other countries to reimburse the U.S. The cost of grant aid for logistic support should be charged to existing Defense appropriations, if available, or it may require separate legislation, in which case Congressional consultations will be necessary before a final NSC decision.

2. The United States has sought units which are readily usable in combat, (regimental combat team). However, the Unified Command has accepted smaller units when over-riding political considerations were involved. Ambassador Lodge recommends that “the Defense Department should also determine what would be the smallest unit that would be militarily bearable rather than desirable.” In light of the impending armistice, after which forces would be used for non-combatant duties, it may be feasible for the Unified Command to accept units as small as a company. The Department would favor such a policy.

3. If the reimbursement policy is adopted, as indicated above, the Department could undertake bilateral approaches on a selective basis with a view to getting increases in certain countries and new forces from other UN Members which heretofore have not contributed.

1. This memorandum was drafted by Joseph J. Sisco of UNP.
2. Dated May 19, not attached to the source text; printed as an attachment to a memorandum by Lay to the NSC, p. 1130.
3. The words “Department of State” were underlined and the marginal comment “no” appeared on the source text; presumably this was Dulles’ comment.