Office of the Historian

793.02/11–1253: Telegram

No. 152
The Ambassador in Korea (Briggs) to the Department of State

secret
priority
Seoul, November 12, 1953—6 p.m.

416. Eyes only for the Secretary. From Vice President Nixon. Your statement re Red China recognition did not cause any particular concern with Chiang or other top Nationalist officials since they realize that from a practical standpoint there is very little likelihood the Communist regime will meet the conditions you set forth and they so informed me. The press reactions were as might be expected, quite emotional. I believe, however, that the opinion held by top officials will be gradually reflected among the people generally. Contrary to what you may have read in the press, your statement did not cause me embarrassment. I knew that what you said represented our official view and can understand that [the] circumstances which led to making the statement. The only note of caution I might sound would be that it would be unfortunate to let it appear publicly in any way that United States was willing to trade recognition and admission to United Nations for political settlement in Korea. As you can well understand, such an impression is easily created in these areas because of the high sensitivity of the government and peoples.

I was extremely careful in my public and private statements in Formosa to avoid expressing any approval of military action to return to the mainland. Any press reports indicating the contrary had no basis in fact. I limited my public and private statements to commendation of the military and economic progress which has [Page 332] been made in Formosa and to express a conviction that the Chinese people could not indefinitely allow the freedoms and their contact with the free nations to be cut off by the actions of a totalitarian government.

I have appreciated receiving your wires containing background information on late policy developments. They are extremely helpful in keeping me abreast of current thinking. Expect to see Rhee today and will attempt to carry out your instructions.1

Briggs
  1. Regarding Dulles’ instructions to Nixon, see the letter from Dulles to Nixon, Nov. 4, vol. xv, Part 2, p. 1590.↩