795B.00/11–1254: Telegram
1The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea2
326. Seoul’s 509,3 5124 and 5405 repeated Tokyo 338 [343], 343 [345] and 362 CINCUNC’s C 70208.6
Consideration being given in State, Defense and FOA to joint recommendations contained C 70208. In meantime, request you transmit following reply (unnecessary words deleted) from Secretary to Pyun’s letter of October 30 (signed copy pouched).
“I received letter October 30, 1954 and read carefully together with suggested changes your Government proposed in draft Minute which transmitted us by Ambassador Briggs.
In letter October 30, 1954 you have drawn my attention, in particular, two specific changes. We have you know given very careful consideration over long period to draft Minute and have regarded it as package with which must deal as whole rather than part. Do not wish, therefore, address myself in any detail this time to two proposals you made amendment of Minute, particularly view of apparent fact that these not only changes your Government wants made before we reach agreement.
[Page 1916]I nevertheless feel constrained reiterate importance this Government places unification Korea by peaceful means. On this subject, essential there be no mistake position of United States. This position, of course, made clear to you on frequent occasions. With respect to second point, phrase ‘in violation of the armistice’ in item 4 undertakings necessary until ratifications Mutual Defense Treaty exchanged, in order make clear legal basis upon which this Government would act in event aggression against Korea.
In conclusion, let me emphasize distress at lack progress which made reaching agreement between our two countries. More than third year in which hoped implement aid program of increased magnitude has already passed. Further delay only mean continued and serious setback to program economic reconstruction and strengthening of armed forces of which both countries feel essential.”
Reply to Rhee request paragraph 1 Seoul’s 509 should be in same vein as reply Pyun. In transmitting letter Pyun and replying Rhee you should remind them more than ⅓ current fiscal year passed, failure ROK concur Minute costing Korean economy and ROK military forces millions dollars additional aid had hoped make available since increasingly doubtful can compress into closing months fiscal year all such additional aid. In addition inform them refusal agree undertakings we consider important and which not different from those accepted by other countries to whom aid extended is necessitating review Korean aid program. While no attempt being made here to develop precise figures you may inform Rhee if you think useful that review being conducted determine level economic military aid justified view lack agreement principles fundamental to successful reconstruction effort. May inform Rhee you cannot overemphasize seriousness this situation in eyes your government and belief your government unless agreement reached soon may be necessary inform Congress and public that program developed during Rhee visit Washington cannot be implemented.
For your information only prepared delete entire US undertaking support Korean unification from Minute (but not ROK undertaking support US efforts toward unification) if ROK make clear willingness accede on other points (if appears useful US might then deliver separate letter on subject US views re unification). Such US concession if made should help ROK some and have little effect on general understanding US position.
- The following file number was also printed on the source text: 611.95B/11–1254.↩
- This telegram, drafted by Jones and cleared with McClurkin and Secretary of Defense Wilson, as well as with represenatives of FOA and Treasury, was repeated to Tokyo as telegram 1009 with instructions to pass to CINCUNC.↩
- Dated Oct. 29, p. 1907.↩
- Not printed, but see footnote 3, supra.↩
- Supra.↩
- Dated Nov. 8, p. 1911.↩