795.00/6–1451
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs (Hickerson) to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)
Subject: Next steps in Korea
Your thoughtful memorandum on the “Next steps in Korea” received here on May 24,1 was given the deserved attention by the officers concerned with the Korean problem including myself.
A number of points raised in that part of your memorandum which deals with the basic attitude of the United States Government toward the peaceful settlement of the Korean question were since restated and clarified in the testimony of Secretary Acheson before the Joint Senate Committee, particularly on June 1 and June 2, 1951.
The Department’s position on most of the recommendations set fourth in section VIII of your memorandum was indicated in the series of messages sent to USUN in response to the questions which had arisen out of the GOC discussions during the last two weeks.
Thus, the suggestions in section VIII A and B were considered generally in Department’s telegrams 970 of June 6, and 966 of June 6, 1951, as far as the initiative by the GOC was concerned. The Department expressed the view that while a private approach may be useful to explore whether the Communists are willing to negotiate on an honorable basis, it would not be wise at this time for the United Nations to advance whether fact of terms of settlement, be it on the basis of the eight points of January 2 or on any other basis.
As you know, we have begun consultations at Washington with the fifteen powers participating in the armed operations in Korea. The purpose of these consultations is to determine whether the time has come for another effort toward a peaceful settlement and if so, what method should be employed. You will, of course, be kept informed of these consultations and it is our hope that you will continue to give the Department the benefit of your views as the consultations progress.
In the development of our thinking with respect to possible further steps in the Additional Measures Committee we shall keep in mind the ideas in section VIII of your memorandum. As you know we are inclined to avoid at this time a public debate or a resolution in the General Assembly on the United Nations objectives or terms of settlement for Korea.
With respect to paragraph VIII D, our security interests require that any arrangement to end the hostilities must include adequate [Page 530] guarantees against the renewal of the aggression. This would not admit of a unilateral declaration on our part “that the fighting would only be renewed if the aggressor renewed his attack.” In the absence of adequate assurances the United Nations forces must remain free to ensure their own security in accordance with the requirements of a given military situation.
The Department will appreciate any further thoughts you may develop on this matter.