258. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Korea0
243. For Ambassador. Department wishes express its full appreciation and complete support of manner in which you have dealt with current political crisis. In support your position Department urgently considering high level letter to President Rhee expressing grave concern with which US Government views ROK developments. As initial public expression this concern, Department spokesman today made following statement to press:
“In response to question the other day when this legislation was before Korean Assembly, I remarked that this was an internal matter and so the Department had no comment. However we are disappointed to note that the majority Liberal Party and the opposition Democratic Party did not reach a settlement of this issue in the Assembly. We hope that this legislation will be implemented so as to counter the threat of Communist subversion and that it will not hinder the continued development of democratic institutions and processes in the ROK.”
We gave serious consideration to your proposal that we stimulate press reaction prior to passage of law. However it was decided not to do so because we did not think it would bring about desired results and might in fact involve US Government in acrimonious debate with ROK Government through US press which would only benefit Communist propaganda.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/12–2458. Confidential; Verbatim Text; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Lane and cleared by Gregory, J. Graham Parsons, and Lincoln White, Chief of the News Division.↩