396.1 GE/4–3054: Telegram

Fifth Plenary Session on Korea, Geneva, April 30, 3:05 p.m.: The United States Delegation to the Department of State1

confidential

Secto 57. Repeated information Seoul 23 Tokyo 15 London 101 Paris 158 Moscow 31 Oslo 2. Tokyo for CINCUNC. Department pass Defense, CINCPAC, COMSAC. Only speakers at short Fifth Plenary Session today over which Molotov presided were Cevat Acikalin of Turkey and Prince Wan of Thailand. In opening speech2 Acikalin stressed importance UN action Korea in terms upholding principle of collective security and support UN decisions. Pointing out modern science has so shrunk world that security individual nation depends on security all nations, Acikalin said our sons who fought on battlefields of Korea serve not only common cause but also cause of own countries. While sacrifices in Korea resulted goal we set out achieve, “glorious martyred Korea” ruined by war still awaits justice. Our duty is restoration united free and independent Korea in conformity with UN resolutions to which we solemnly committed. Any other approach betrays justice and harms organization which guarantees our own security. Asserting Turkish delegation could not accept proposals by North Korean delegation which disregarded UN authority and would tend create chaotic situation likely bring about communist designs which resolute UN action has prevented, Acikalin expressed hope those who caused the ills have learned the lesson of events and will take the road we are determined to follow.

Stressing Thailand’s firm support of UN as demonstrated its quick response to call for military and economic assistance ROK, Prince Wan declared Thai people understood significance UN action Korea, which turned principle collective security from abstract idealism to living reality.3 Stating that task of conference was to conclude permanent peace in Korea, Wan quoted from Berlin re solution statement that establishment united independent Korea important factor in reducing international tensions and restoring peace in other parts of Asia. He cited Indochina as part of Asia in which Thailand “particularly interested as close neighbor and adjacent country.”

Stressing that Thailand, particularly as Asian country strongly favored principle that “Asian people should form united independent [Page 171] states not divided in any way or subject to colonialism or imperialism in any form, old or new”, Wan pointed out Thailand has kept independence throughout colonial period because pursued open-door policy granting equal opportunities for all powers and cooperating with them. In apparent but unspoken reference Chou En-lai and Molotov’s speech, Wan declared: “Thailand, no less than other Asian nations, considers that peace in Asia should be ensured, that the independence and sovereignty of Asian nations should be respected and that the national rights and freedom of the Asian peoples should be safeguarded”; but added not necessary that good Asian be exclusive Asian, but to contrary Thai national experience indicated to be good Asian as well as good European, American or African, one has to cooperate peacefully with other nations organized in world community of free nations. Peace is world-wide, one and indivisible. Thus Thailand cooperates with US, UK and French as well as Southeast Asian neighbors with view promoting peace in that part of world. In closing Wan stated key to solution Korean question could be found in adapting and applying to present situation UNGA resolution of October 7, 1950.

Comment: Though short both speeches today gave strong support to principle collective security and to idea solution Korean problem along lines UN resolutions. Thai speech especially effective as answer to Chou En-lai pretense speak for peoples of Asia.

Following speeches, Molotov stated general agreement next plenary session May 3 and that only speaker inscribed was ROK delegate.

Dulles
  1. A set of minutes of this meeting (US Verb Min/5) is in Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 267. The minutes indicate that the meeting convened at 3:05 p.m. and adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
  2. The text of Acikalin’s statement is printed in The Korean Problem at the Geneva Conference, pp. 58–59.
  3. Extracts from Prince Wan’s statement are printed ibid., pp. 59–60.