501.BB Korea: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the American Mission in Korea
172. Reurtel 164 Feb 18. Dept has given careful consideration to matter raised by Wertheimer as reported your 164 Feb 18 and has concluded that such step shld prove beneficial to Korean Govt and tend to contribute to latter’s security and to stability of situation fol US troop withdrawal. Furthermore, it is consistent with our view that Korean problem is one of internatl concern. Pls advise Wertheimer informally that this Govt is favorably disposed toward idea and avail yourself of any appropriate opportunity to foster taking of such decision by UNCOK.
We agree Korean Govt shld be invited express views before any definitive action taken.
Assumed such observers wld be drawn from UNCOK member states and wld operate as part of UNCOK and subj its auth, altho not clear whether they wld be requested by UNCOK through SYG as “technical advisers” under para 6 Dec 12 Res. Assumed also therefore such observers quite apart from “mil experts of two occupying powers” whose assistance UNCOK authorized request under para (4) D that Res.
We shld also as UN member like to receive Wertheimer’s informal estimate UN budgetary implications assignment mil observers.