Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 1

795.00/1–1951: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France

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Washington, January 20, 1951—noon.

3837. You are requested to reply along fol lines to FonOff aide-mémoire, urtel 4173, Jan 19.

1. US believes it important to face squarely up to present situation in Korea and that GA need not shrink from use of word “aggression” in regard to action Chi Commies. While Dept wld prefer simple language contained in res set forth in Depcirtel 387,¹ US prepared to agree to text suggested by other dels which we understand acceptable to Fr Del. Such para reads:

“Finds that the CPG of the PRC by giving direct aid and assistance to those already committing aggression in Korea and by engaging in hostilities against UN forces there has itself been engaged in aggression in Korea”.

2. In re four specific points French aide-mémoire, you shld indicate as follows:

a) re point 1, for confidential info FonOff, US does not consider passage proposed res wld constitute authorization for extension of general hostilities against Chi mainland by UC, nor wld it constitute UN permission to bomb Chi within the meaning of the statement Pres. Press Conference Jan 4. However, US Govt as UC has always maintained that it must reserve right to take action essential to protect UN forces under its command; e.g. in event large scale air attack against UN troops from Manchurian bases, UC must be free to bomb airfields from which such air attacks originate, of if Chi Commie forces, in support of their action in Korea, attack UN forces outside Korea UC must be free to counteract.

b) Dept shares understanding point 2.

c) Re point 3, Dept agrees that CMC shld make report which would be subject debate and decision of Assembly. It seems unusual procedure, however, report go directly First Comite. Upon receiving CMC report, GA cld decide whether to discuss it in plenary or send it to First Comite.

d) Dept recognizes French Govt wishes to reserve position on principle of sanctions. Inevitably, of course, sanctions of some kind will be considered by CMC among additional measures which might be employed. In CMC or in GA debates following CMC report, Dept recognizes French not committed on position in regard to any particular measures or sanctions to be taken. Dept’s views re measures which CMC shld consider being transmitted separate tel.²

Acheson

1. Dated January 15, p. 83.
2. See telegram 643 to New York, January 20, p. 1885. In a subsequent circular airgram, dated January 23, based upon telegram 643, the Department indicated that in the military sphere the United States would continue to try to prevent extension of the conflict beyond Korea and in the present circumstances would not contemplate asking the CMC to recommend military operations against Chinese territory (795.00/1–2351).