795B.5/6–551: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations
964. As you are aware US Govt concerned some time with gen problem securing additional ground force commitments from UN Members to support collective effort in Korea. This need has become increasingly urgent as consequence of extensive Chi Commie intervention in Korea, prospects for renewed Commie offensive, need to rotate troops which have served long, arduous tours, and fact that no date of termination of hostilities in Korea is foreseeable at this time.
[Page 514]Recently Defense Dept requested Dept to direct efforts towards securing substantial contributions rather than token forces. Dept desires to ensure that maximum effort has been made to obtain or increased ground troop commitments from all 53 UN Members who replied favorably to June 25 and June 27 Resolutions, even though some of 53 in position only to make token contributions.
Dept anxious UN maintain strong initiative in steps to increase universality and success of collective effort. Nevertheless it wld not be desirable for UN to make gen appeal to all 53 States supporting Korean operation in view of JCS policy of not requesting additional commitments from continental NATO States and from UK if commitments interfere with NATO schedules. In this connection, Dept inquiring whether JCS does not feel, in light of existing situation, that it shld reconsider lifting of injunction against asking NATO States on Eur Continent for additional troop contributions. UN appeal for additional forces shld be made as soon as possible.
Therefore appeal wld be limited to States replying favorably to June 25 and June 27 Resolutions which have not yet contributed armed forces. Appeal wld indicate that bilateral discussions are being carried on between UC and number other States, and in particular with States which have already contributed armed forces. The 15 States are Austral, Belg, Canad, Colom, Ethio, Fr, Greece, Lux, Neth, NZ, Phil, Thailand, Turk, USOAFR, and UK.
In this connection Dept considering most feasible approach through UN. Fol is present thinking Dept concerning two possible alternatives. Your views requested soonest: (1) submission of question of additional troops for Korea to AMC or Political and Security Comite of GA; (2) public appeal to UN Members for more troops from SYG on behalf UC.
As to first alternative, we believe advantage wld be in fact that it is multilateral UN approach from which propaganda benefits wld derive in event of agreement among Members of AMC to make appropriate recommendation to GA or agreement to ask SYG to appeal to Members on behalf AMC. Such AMC action wld be in accordance with its terms of reference and list of possible measures for consideration by Comite, prepared by Bureau and submitted Mar 8 (US/A/AC.52/12).1 AMC recommendation for additional troops wld appear as logical corollary to steps being taken in respect to recommending additional economic measures and wld be clear reaffirmation of UN initiative in maintaining and reinforcing collective effort in Korea.
On other hand, use of AMC has number serious disadvantages. [Page 515] Using AMC for discussion additional troops may lead to open debate concerning entire Korean situation, development which Dept wld consider undesirable. Bringing this question to AMC wld very likely cause extensive delays before positive measures cld be adopted. Majority of Members AMC have contributed armed forces and therefore appeal wld not be addressed to them. This situation likely to lessen effect of AMC action. Possible failure in getting AMC to make such recommendation wld tend to give additional credence to criticism leveled against our friends in respect to rather modest contributions of ground forces they have made thus far to the collective action in Korea. Furthermore, a vote in GA on recommendation from AMC in NR appreciably less than 53 supporting action of June 25 and 27 Resolutions wld be damaging and bring into open lack of strong and united support for Korean effort. Many states might be reluctant to support in GA measures which wld call for further specific commitments of additional ground forces.
Dept inclined to favor second alternative, an appeal on behalf UC through SYG. Dept realizes that appeal on behalf UC has more of a unilateral character and may possibly stir up old animosities which were stimulated when SYG on July 14 made his appeal for contributions from UN Members. However, we feel such eventuality can be avoided if an announcement from SYG clearly states it is being made upon request of UC. In July 14 announcement, a nr of Member Govts resented not being consulted prior to announcement. However, such situation can be avoided by prior diplomatic preparation.
An appeal on behalf of UC through SYG wld have advantage of speed, and wld avoid inevitable delay of AMC consideration. It wld serve to allay recent public criticisms alluding to UN inaction. The possibility that consideration of question additional troops in AMC wld open gen discussion on entire Korean situation wld be lessened. Such an appeal wld not require UN Members to respond to AMC or GA recommendation. Further, such public appeal might act as an immediate catalyst in bringing to fruition some of present bilateral negots UC is carrying on with nr Member States which previously gave support June Resolutions of SC.
In line with past procedure, Dept wld ask that offers of assistance be communicated to SYG in gen terms leaving detailed arrangements for such an agreement between respective Govts and UC. Dept has in mind draft note to SYG along fol lines:
“SecState presents his compliments to H.E. the SYG of the UN and has the honor to address a communication on behalf of US, acting in its capacity as UC, concerning need for additional ground troops from Member Govts of UN for collective effort in Korea.
“UC has conducted and is now conducting extensive bilateral conversations [Page 516] in connection with this problem with various Member States and in particular is conducting conversations with States which have already contributed armed forces.
“In order to further efforts of UC in this respect SYG is requested to send communication on behalf of UC to Member Govts which previously gave a favorable reply to either SC Res of June 25, 1950, or to its Res of June 27, 1950, but which have not yet contributed armed forces for collective effort in Korea advising the aforementioned Members of need for further ground assistance in Korea. There is real need for additional forces from Member States in the light of massive Chi Commie concentrations in the area and of their continuing aggression. UC therefore desires SYG in his communication to appeal to Member Govts which have given their support to SC Resolutions but have not made contributions of armed forces that they give immediate consideration to making an initial contribution of ground forces of substantial character, consonant with their respective capabilities and other responsibilities.
“Further, it is requested that Member Govts be asked to notify SYG of offers in gen terms, detailed arrangements to be made by respective Member Govts and UC.”
- Not printed.↩