795.00/7–251: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
flash
3. ReDeptel 1003, June 29. Recent visits Gens. Ridgway, Van Fleet to Pres Rhee have been most helpful in relations ROK. In particular continued daily presence, availability Gen. Coulter who enjoys outstanding personal prestige with Pres Rhee most valuable. View this I see no present necessity visit PriMin to US or visit here by influential US personage.
Gen. Coulter accompanied me this morning on call on Rhee. ROK Govt unadvised results Amb Yang’s call to Dept; I verbally paraphrased contents Deptel 1, July 1.1 Burden Rhee’s lengthy conversation was his conviction settlement with Commies at present time was indication weakness which wld lead to third world war, but he nonetheless concluded that ROK wld of course have to go along with US and UN decisions. He added that in order prevent loose talk he today told Cabinet to preserve public silence on ceasefire issue.
While in nature of problem and of Korean sentiments I can only expect further publicity on “marching to Yalu” theme, I believe that responsible quarters ROK are facing realities of situation in a manner better than may have been expected. It appears to me that the initial emotional reaction has been passed as regards ceasefire issue per se.
Sent Dept 3 rptd info Tokyo 2.