795.00/6–2653: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea1
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19. Embtel 26.2 President and I appreciate your report and agree that it is encouraging.
With reference numbered points raised by Rhee President agrees with point one if it is logistically feasible. President also agrees with points three and four although “guarantee” of mutual defense pact is of course subject to Senate advice and consent accordance US constitutional processes.
With respect to point two it is the view of the President that we cannot impose a time limit upon other countries who may be participating in the conference but if at the end of 90 days it is clear that the conference is not making progress and is being abused by the Communists to provide an opportunity to infiltrate and propagandize or otherwise embarrass the ROK he would be prepared to act in concert with the ROK with the view to US and ROK retiring jointly from the conference. We would be prepared to make clear our intention in this regard following the joint consultations between ourselves and the [Page 1278] ROK regarding the political conference which would follow promptly after the entry into effect of the armistice.
- This message, drafted by Dulles and Johnson, was repeated to Pusan as telegram 826 and to Tokyo as 3042.↩
- In this telegram, June 26, Robertson informed the Department that he had had an encouraging conference with Rhee and a report of the meeting would follow. (795.00/62653) Undoubtedly, the reference was to telegram 28 from Seoul, supra.↩