Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIX, Part 1, Korea

74. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State¹

Seoul, January 22, 1966, 0415Z.

762. Troops for SVN.

1. Foreign Minister called in Ambassador Jan 21 to discuss progress troop negotiations. He stated both MND and DPM dissatisfied at what they consider lack of progress and failure to get anything from US but “vague assurances and things already certain”. They do not feel they have enough on which to face Assembly.

2. FonMin asked if need for further ROK units was really urgent—things were quieter in SVN and large US reinforcement had arrived. It might be well to have a pause in the negotiations to allow the Korean negotiator to “save face.”

3. Amb reiterated urgency need, and said FonMin clearly not fully informed on magnitude and specificity US offers. If these offers were presented as the positive contribution which they are, instead of being disparaged, they could have highly persuasive effect on Assembly. FonMin could expect definitive offer early next week which would further clarify US position and should enable ROKG then to make its decision.

4. Comment: This is of course part of ROKG pressure on us for larger concessions. Report of MND and DPM personal dissatisfaction and negative attitude with President is probably factual.

5. DCM also stressed to Yi Hu-rak Jan 22, urgency Presidential decision before departure SEA trip. Yi said President feared US “something plus” would not be big enough to impress National Assembly. DCM expressed confidence that US offer would give President what he needed.

Brown

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 27–3 VIET S. Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Tokyo, Saigon, CINCPAC, and the Department of Defense.