396.1 GE/5–754: Telegram

Eighth Plenary Session on Korea, Geneva, May 7, 3:05 p.m.: The United States Delegation to the Department of State1

confidential

Secto 138. Repeated information Tokyo 28, London 135, Paris 218, Moscow 49, Oslo 6, Seoul 55. Tokyo pass CINCUNC. Department pass Defense, CINCPAC, COMSAC. Today’s plenary session (eighth) most satisfactory presentation so far of general Allied position. Summary texts being transmitted in clear to Seoul and Department as Secto 139.2 Philippine, New Zealand and Colombian representatives3 spoke strongly for:

(1)
Authority and integrity of UN as basic issue in view of Communist challenge UN has no authority in Korea or Asia and conference has nothing to do with UN. Consensus of today’s speakers was UN members have no business at conference if Communists reject UN.
(2)
Conformity of proposals on Korea with UN resolutions and particularly resolution of October 7, 1950.
(3)
General proposals on Korean independence and unification including (a) supervision and observation by UN; (b) assurance of proportional representation on basis population ratio between north and south; (c) free elections and adequate safeguards for conduct of elections; (d) adequate assurance of stable conditions and unification of Korea prior to withdrawal all UN forces from Korea.

These three basic concepts and three speeches today highlight ROK Allied case at Geneva in clear, uncontrovertible, eloquent terms.

Molotov failed to give speech although apparently had prepared text in front of him. All Communist delegates left Palais immediately after session without usual mixing in lounge and without any of usual jocular exchanges with free world delegates.

Molotov announced as no speaker inscribed for Saturday,4 no plenary that day. No date set for next plenary.

For Embassy Seoul: All our subsequent actions and words here should bolster this strong position which previous speeches on our side have reflected and which Secretary keynoted in his address to conference. Consider it important complete US-ROK cooperative effort concert on draft proposal so that we are prepared as soon as [Page 224] possible introduce it with appropriate timing and auspices for best effect. Themes of today’s speeches will form excellent setting for proposal.

Smith
  1. A set of minutes of this meeting (US Verb Min/8) is in Conference files, lot 60 D 627. The minutes indicate that the meeting convened at 3:05 p.m. and adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
  2. Not printed.
  3. The statements of the New Zealand and Philippine representatives, Webb and Garcia, are printed in The Korean Problem at the Geneva Conference, pp. 82–90.
  4. May 8.