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

795B.00/11–1754: Telegram

¹

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea²

secret
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Washington, November 14, 1954—10:19 p.m.

327. Your 558.³ Tokyo also pass CINCUNC. You are authorized subject confirmation by President Rhee of two following points and subject his acceptance remainder United States draft Minute, appendices and letter Secretary Wilson to Sohn:

1. Agree deletion words “in violation of the armistice” from item 4 United States commitments. However you should exchange notes stating item 4 as revised not effective until exchange instruments ratification Mutual Defense Treaty.

2. Agree deletion item 5 United States commitments on understanding item 1 ROK commitments remains. As alternative letter from Secretary to Pyun, exchange notes referred to above might serve as vehicle for indicating United States position on unification unchanged. On other hand our position on unification has been made so clear both in public and private there may be no real necessity restating it unless you believe there is danger ROK might later cite our willingness delete item 5 as evidence shift in our position.

If you reach agreement with ROK in accordance foregoing you authorized initial Minute on behalf United States Government. Words “in Washington” should be deleted from title of Minute.

General Hull has signed original letter form Wilson to Sohn.

Since Minute and its attachments not suitable public release you Hull and Wood should agree with ROK on what will be said publicly. Will appreciate earliest possible prior notification time and text.

This message cleared in substance with Defense and FOA.

Dulles

1. The following file number was also printed on the source text: 611.95B/11–1754.
2. This telegram, drafted by McClurkin and cleared in substance by Robertson, was repeated to Tokyo as telegram 1012 with instructions to pass to CINCUNC.
3. Supra.