123 Muccio, John J.: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea
316. Reurtel 412 Mar 29. T.O. being telegraphed. Pls report dates.
Re suggested statement Deptel 278 Mar 23 did not envisage ref to “lack of cooperation ROK” but merely to our “concern over inflationary situation”. Dept still inclined believe statement along latter line might be useful but desires leave this your discretion.
While gratified at results enumerated urtel, Dept and ECA/W inclined to view ltr of Mar 4 from PriMin1 as more significant indicator [Page 39] of real attitude of ROK toward financial problems than measures upon which agreement reported urtel as having been reached.
On this end fol steps have been or will shortly be taken to emphasize this Govt’s concern over inflationary situation:
- 1.
- On Mar 23 ECA/W dispatched Hoffman’s reply to PriMin’s ltr of Mar 4 (text transmitted Ecato 395 Mar 27).
- 2.
- On Apr 3 Korean Amb will call Dept (prior his departure fol day on goodwill mission Austral and NZ) and will be handed aide-mémoire setting forth Dept’s views on inflationary situation, text of which will be telegraphed for transmittal also by Emb to ROK.
- 3.
- On same date Korean Amb expected call on ECA Administrator who will express ECA’s deep concern over situation and will hand him copy Mar 23 ltr to PriMin.