Office of the Historian

795B.00/11–1554: Telegram

1

The Ambassador in Korea (Briggs) to the Department of State

secret
niact
Seoul, November 15, 1954—5 p.m.

559. Repeated information niact Tokyo 384. Tokyo pass CINCUNC. Reference Embassy telegram 558,2 repeated Tokyo 382 and Department telegram 327,3 sent Tokyo 1012.

I accompanied Congressmen Vorys and Richards calling on President Rhee this morning. After prolonged discussion of future position Japan in Far East and of other matters President stated:

1.
He would instruct ROK Ambassador Washington exchange instruments ratification Mutual Defense Treaty.
2.
Re unification question in minute he would be satisfied with deletion point 5 American undertakings. (I told him US position on unification by peaceful means would in that event be set forth in note).

Since President Rhee has confirmed two points set forth Department telegram 327 and has accepted other provisions, I am preparing sign draft minute and exchange notes as soon as final papers can be prepared.4 Also working with Pyun on draft joint press release which will be telegraphed soonest.5

Congressmen Vorys and Richards were most helpful throughout conversation with President today especially in discussion problem of Japan and in impressing on President Rhee extreme desirability reaching agreement on draft minute in order that plans for continued aid to Korea next year may not be prejudiced. They likewise effectively supported immediate exchange ratification MDT.6

Briggs
  1. The following file number was also printed on the source text: 611.95B/11–1554.↩
  2. Dated Nov. 14, p. 1917.↩
  3. Supra.↩
  4. In telegrams 562 and 563, Nov. 15, Briggs reported that he had called on Pyun to inform him officially of the position contained in telegram 327 to Seoul and that he had given him a note to that effect; Pyun agreed, subject to Rhee’s concurrence, to initial the agreed minute on Nov. 17. (795B.00/11–1554)↩
  5. In telegram 569 from Seoul, Nov. 16, 1954, not printed. For a text of the press release as well as the agreed minute and Appendix A, see Department of State Bulletin, Nov. 29, 1954, pp. 809–811; a text is also located in TIAS 3396; 6 UST (pt. 3) 3913.↩
  6. For a text of the Mutual Defense Treaty, see TIAS 3097; 5 UST (pt. 2) 2368.↩