Office of the Historian

118. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Korea1

Washington, February 9, 1956—6:20 p.m.

536. Tokyo also pass CINCUNC and CAG. Your 8222 repeated Tokyo 431. Fully understand and appreciate views set forth your 822. Nevertheless continue believe highly desirable avoid unilateral action NNSC as long as reasonable hope of Swiss and Swedish success. This period limited by possibility ROK resumption demonstrations [Page 221] but hope every effort made avoid such demonstrations during next few weeks. Department convinced Swiss and Swedes intend adhere to proposition made Communists that all teams be removed to DZ or they withdraw entirely. Swedish Ambassador assured Assistant Secretary Robertson January 29 Swedish position not subject negotiation.3 Bern’s 8074 repeated Seoul 9 Tokyo 7 made Swiss position clear. Question is timing. Swedes particularly impatient get matter settled. Believe odds favor eventual Communist acceptance this proposition. Department assessment is world opinion find action by Swiss and Swedes far more acceptable than action by UNC however justified. Furthermore Communists clearly suffer propaganda-wise from complete withdrawal Swiss and Swedes while likely gain if UNC takes action.

Robertson explained in State–JCS meeting February 35 Swiss and Swedish progress NNSC problem and State view necessity allow them more time.

Department will inform Seoul and Tokyo promptly any development in Swiss-Swedish negotiations. Request Department be kept informed any indications renewal demonstrations. In event emergency develops you should remind Rhee his three-month commitment Congressmen and authorized tell Rhee your Government strongly feels problem must be solved near future.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795.00/2–356. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Jones, cleared with L/UNA, UNP, and BNA, and approved by Robertson. Repeated to Tokyo.↩
  2. Document 114.↩
  3. The conversation took place on January 25 rather than January 29; see Document 111.↩
  4. In telegram 807 from Bern, February 2, the Embassy reported that a Communist proposal to reduce the fixed inspection teams to one each in North and South Korea and to reduce the number of mobile teams was unacceptable to the Swiss and the Swedes. Minister Zehnder stated that the Swiss opposition to fixed inspection teams had become a matter of principle. (Department of State, Central Files, 795.00/2–256)↩
  5. The meeting was on February 4; see Document 115.↩