611.95B/8–2054: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea1
148. Tokyo pass CINCUNC. Your 208 rptd Tokyo 132.2 In Ambassador Briggs’ discussion with Secretary and Robertson this morning decision taken continue seek ROK Government signature to draft Minute3 before making any final commitments on US military economic aid programs. Some modifications may be desirable in light appropriation bills for example specifying amounts to be made available. This along lines recommendation reftel.
Instructions now in preparation for Ambassador Briggs, who leaves Washington tomorrow, to take up this matter with President Rhee soonest after his return Seoul.
FOA and Defense will require about ten days apportioning appropriation among several countries concerned before definite figures can be developed on Korea. Stassen so informed Paek this morning and latter will apparently remain Washington for present.
- This telegram, drafted by Young and Briggs and cleared with Wood of FOA, was repeated to Tokyo as 391.↩
- In this telegram, Aug. 20, Strom reported that the Embassy staff believed that ROK formal agreement to the draft minute worked out in Washington during the Rhee visit of July 26–30 should be obtained immediately in light of Rhee’s past tendencies of avoiding written commitments while insisting on U.S. Government fulfillment of its assurances concerning miltary and economic programs. (795B.5/8–2054)↩
- For text of the draft minute, see p. 1859.↩