895B.13/4–450: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
453. Redeptel 320, April 3.1 Called on President 11 a. m. giving him aide-mémoire text Deptel 317 March 312 plus additional paragraph suggested Embtel 432, April 1.
[Page 45]President read aloud, then commented much concern. I expressed belief that with President’s earnest backing, following recommendations Economic Stabilization Committee possible establish stabilized financial condition near future, if current delaying tactics overcome. Cited example delaying tactics, specifically recent changing foreign exchange regulations after presidential acceptance committee’s program.
I said developments anti-democratic character cause considerable concern, citing retention authoritarian Education Minister, constant improper police arrests, use torture threats by high officials against NA. I said would be impossible explain election postponement by government.
President finally asked what he could do satisfy Secretary and Hoffman. I replied, (1) cause passage laws, budget and taxes, and (2) hold elections before end May.3
- Not printed. It authorized Ambassador Muccio to convey to the Government of the Republic of Korea the text of the aide-mémoire of April 3 (895B.13/4–150).↩
- See footnote 2 to telegram 432, April 1, from Seoul, p. 39.↩
- For a report on subsequent developments, see despatch no. 435, April 28, from Seoul, p. 52.↩