795B.5/9–2754: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Briggs) to the Department of State
priority
362. Repeated information Tokyo 237. Joint message for State, Defense, FOA from Briggs, Hull and Wood. Tokyo also pass CINCUNC and CAG.
General Hull, Wood and I met with President Rhee for two hours this afternoon pursuant Department telegrams 216,1 2042 and 2263 (repeated Tokyo 627, 610 and 666). Prime Minister Pyun, Defense Minister Sohn and Economic Coordinator Paek also present.
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Following brief explanatory remarks I presented text draft agreed minute of Washington conversations. Rhee launched into explanation purpose his trip to US was not obtain further aid but rather achieve unification Korea. He said US policy achieve unification by peaceful means had failed and he had therefore offered present military plan to achieve same objective. Seeing there was no interest in this plan he had not presented it, but unified, independent and democratic Korea remained the most important and urgent problem. He attacked US redeployment as done without proper consideration Communist threat or adequate preparation and concluded Korea must now determine its own course regardless whether US would assist.
General Hull and I emphasized sympathy US Government for ROK objective and awareness difficulties confronting her. Hull described purposes behind redeployment stressing that relative strength forces in ROK remains approximately as at time of armistice, thus serving as both assurance to Korea and deterrent to Communists. Rhee’s only reply was that he unconvinced our views re Communist threat Korea and time has come for ROK decide its own course and pursue it. He said that no decision made as yet, however. Re proposed economic and military aid programs he expressed appreciation for past aid but said that future aid, if given, should be used as ROK sees fit.
Following further discussion these points and our restatement of fact draft minute is requirement for economic and military aid programs of size contemplated, he agreed read and consider minute in that context.
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- Re appointment US mediator to bring about resumption ROK-Japanese negotiations Rhee gave usual harangue on Japanese bad faith and intent to take over Korea again, and he implied US Government has understanding to this effect with Japan. He stated that ROK required as [Page 1889] condition resumption of negotiations (1) public cancellation treaty of annexation of Korea, (2) return of books, art treasures and gold reserves, (3) acceptance fishery bans, (4) renunciation property claims. I laid stress on importance Japanese-ROK relations to common objective combatting communism in Asia as well as to welfare and security ROK, pointing out (as did General Hull) that mediator might play constructive role in achieving these objectives. Pyun inserted number of unhelpful comments in this discussion which added up to demand for retraction Kubota statement and public declaration by Japanese Government it would not insist on its property claims and would accept Rhee line. In closing discussion of this item I requested President give further consideration suggestion advanced by US Government for appointment mediator to help resolve these difficulties. He did not altogether reject this but gave no indication whether he would accept on any basis save prior acceptance by Japan of practically all points at issue. This phase of discussion almost completely negative insofar as prospect reasonable approach by ROK.
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- Following discussion these two questions I made strong representations along lines Department telegram 226 re current ROK campaign of abuse and misrepresentations US policy and actions, mentioning specifically statements of high ROK officials, Korean Republic editorials and cartoons and “demonstrations” before US Embassy. I pointed out campaign if continued would have seriously adverse effect on relations our governments and requested it be terminated. Although Pyun sought to argue that Korean press not subject any control by Government, President appeared impressed by seriousness of US Government concern and specifically stated he would see that demonstrators cease disturbing Embassy in future.
In sum Rhee agreed consider draft minute further, gave no commitment whatever re proposed US mediator in ROK-Japanese situation (but did not flatly reject idea) and appeared impressed at genuineness our concern re anti-US campaign. He reiterated several times that Korea was now in “a perilous situation” and gave impression being both depressed and uncertain as to where he would turn, suggesting that unification under Communists is perhaps better than no unification at all. This statement was made rather feebly, however, and with no real show of conviction.