795.00/9–1150: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea
117. UP desp Sep 10, reporting joint press conference of Pres Rhee and Gen Church quotes Rhee to effect UN advance imminent and “must not stop until Reds driven entirely out of Kor”.
Dept fully appreciates difficulty limiting expression Rhee’s views on advance beyond 38 and relation this subj to Kor morale. However, important that all Amer personnel dealing with Rhee and other senior ROK Govt personnel carefully avoid expressing views on this subj that cld in any way be interpreted as expression of US policy. This complex question is being considered at highest levels US Govt in light many changing factors including vital importance of maintaining high degree of UN support for whatever policies are adopted. You will be informed of decisions when reached, and, any communication thereof to Govt ROK can be made only by you as Amer Amb.
For ur info in reply to question on television interview on Sep 101 Sec replied that he shld like to underline that whether or not “we stop at the 38th parallel” is a UN decision. He went on to state that “The UN have set up the goal of a united and free Kor. That was in their resolution in the GA in ’47 and ’48. Now, how this UN operation is conducted is for the UN to decide. And, … , the UN cannot decide that until it is clear as to how and under what circumstances its forces reach the 38th Parallel”.
- For the text of this interview, see the Department of State Bulletin, September 18, 1950, p. 460.↩