Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Japan; Korea, Volume XVIII

178. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Japan⁰

Washington, June 12, 1960, 9:42 p.m.

2974. Eyes Only. From Acting Secretary for MacArthur. Re your 4143¹ I fervently trust President’s visit to Japan will be carried through on schedule. However if finally deemed impossible, suggestion your reftel to delete Okinawa from itinerary requires decision.

I believe I understand why you probably think that visit to Okinawa would be unwise and possibly offensive to Japanese if visit of main islands impossible. Would appreciate any analysis this position you may wish to express re this matter which should enter into decision on this contingency. Opinion here is that it would be highly undesirable to allow unfortunate circumstances in Japan to interfere with the visit to Okinawa. There are independent reasons (in addition to the fact that it has already been announced) which would in fact make the visit to Okinawa all the more pertinent if the Japan visit were unfortunately cancelled. Under these circumstances some consideration should be given to its possible extension beyond the brief hour and a half already planned.

We would find it extremely difficult to rationalize to our friends abroad and our citizens at home any action which would obviously be interpreted as subservience to Japanese sensitivity. There will be many voices that will suggest that a visit to Okinawa under these rather extreme circumstances becomes the more symbolically important.

If Communist minority demonstrations in Tokyo achieve their purpose in dealing us one really devastating blow, there is no reason why we should give impression that they can impose their will upon us with respect to an area in which we retain legitimate rights.²

For Parsons:

I believe thought should also be given to appropriate extension of trip to Korea³ under these circumstances. With deletion of Japan would seem minimum one night stop Korea almost imperative in order carry out scheduled activities.

Dillon

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.94/6–1260. Top Secret; Priority. Drafted by Steeves and cleared with S/S and by the Acting Secretary in substance. Repeated to Parsons at Elmendorf AFB.
1. Document 177.
2. MacArthur accepted the Department’s view in telegram 4149 from Tokyo, June 13. (Department of State, Central Files, 711.11–EI/6–1360) See Supplement.
3. See footnote 5, Document 179.