396.1–GE/4–1954: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea1
priority
839. Following for Rhee from Dulles:
“April 19, 1954. My dear Mr. President: I am gratified to have received from Ambassador Briggs the news that the Republic of Korea has decided to participate in the Conference at Geneva.2 As the President and I have so often stated to you, we want to stand shoulder to shoulder with you and your Government at this Conference. Some decisions with regard to arrangements for the conference have had to be taken prior to your decision to participate. I am satisfied that you will find that these decisions fully protect the interests of your Government and are in accord with our common view of the Conference. However, many important items remain to be decided and will require decisions during the course of the Conference. I look forward to working closely with your Foreign Minister at Geneva. However, in order that you may yourself have the direct benefit of our latest thinking here, I will make arrangements for our common friend Arthur Dean to proceed immediately to Korea as my personal emissary to you. He can directly explain to you the lines of my thinking and in turn pass on to me your thoughts with respect to the Conference and the problems we will face together there. Sincerely yours, John Foster Dulles.”
Inform Department by telegram when delivered and report any significant comments of President Rhee.
- Repeated to Tokyo for CINCUNC.↩
- In his telegram 1026, Apr. 19, from Seoul, Ambassador Briggs forwarded the text of a note from Pyun to Dulles formally accepting the invitation to the Geneva Conference on behalf of the Korean Government. The note stated that acceptance was predicated on the assurance that, if substantial progress had not been made within 90 days of the Conference, the United States would consult with the Republic of Korea on abandonment of further negotiations with the Communists. (396.1–GE/4–1954)↩