357.AK/5–2951: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations
priority
966. Re Unmis 43.1 1. History of past efforts in UN to achieve peaceful settlement shows all these efforts floundered against determination of Commie aggressors to pursue their objective to drive UN out of Korea. Unless there is indication this objective changed every attempt achieve honorable settlement is doomed to failure.
2. While leading US officials only recently in Joint Senate Comite restated our views on honorable settlement on basis termination of fighting in general vicinity of 38th parallel, there has been not even scintilla of evidence of change of Commie attitude and indication of willingness to negotiate.
3. It occurs to us that procedure suggested in ref Unmis cld be adjusted to explore whether Commies willing to talk without necessity for restating again UN terms at least in first instance only to be again rebuffed.
4. It is our thought that Entezam might approach Peiping as envisaged in para 3 of ref Unmis. He might say it is his clear impression from testimony before Senate Joint Comite that if Commies willing to stop fighting in general vicinity of 38th parallel there exists basis for fruitful discussion. He cld inquire whether Commies care to comment.
[Page 517]We have some question whether Entezam and GOC shld commit themselves at this time re filing of interim report in immediate future.
5. If this approach is rebuffed or ignored the account thereof wld be eventually included in GOC report. If Chi Commies answer in terms of their past propaganda proposals these will also be included in GOC report with appropriate GOC comments. If their reply contains indication they are willing to talk it will be carefully examined and further steps will be determined in light of circumstances.
6. If it becomes necessary for you to comment to Padilla or Grafstrom on matters raised in urtel 1599 June 1 we continue believe discreet approach at least in first instance has more chance of success than GA res (Deptel 593 [953] May 29). If private approach unequivocally rejected consideration may be given public action designed demonstrate UN and UC doing all in its power obtain settlement in Korea. We still inclined believe UC report to SYG or statement by Govs with troops in Korea might be best method if and when public approach is chosen. We must keep in mind if public appeal fails demand for further UN measures may well increase.
7. Re Padilla’s points in urtel 1599 concerning 38th parallel and Dec cease-fire conditions we wld consider necessary obtain agreement to end aggression in Korea with adequate guarantee against resumption of hostilities in line with Secy Acheson’s testimony of Sat June 2.2
We must be careful that any GA res does not repeal provision of Oct 7 res re implied authority of UN forces proceed beyond 38th parallel. Padilla himself seems believe (Para 2 of urtel 1599) Sov in advantageous position and we cld not agree tying our hands any further without Commie agreement to end aggression in Korea and effective safeguards against resumption. Passing GA res in absence of positive response ties UN down leaving Commies free.