795.00/12–2451: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
3050. Reurtel 2857 Dec 24. In order meet point penultimate para Eden’s letter and other helpful suggestions which have been received from Canad, Austral, NZand SoAfr Govts, final para draft statement has been revised read as fols:
“We declare again our faith in the principles and purposes of the UN, our consciousness of our continuing responsibilities in Korea, and our determination in good faith to seek a settlement of the Korean problem. We affirm, in the interests of world peace, that if there is a renewal of the armed attack, challenging again the principles of the UN, we shld again be united and prompt to resist. The consequences of such a breach of the armistice wld be so grave that, in all probability, it wld not be possible to confine hostilities within the frontiers of Korea”.
Foregoing draft meets all points of view which have been expressed by other Govts. It is believed revisions accomplish purposes of (1) making statement clearly applicable only to Korea; (2) making clear effective period of statement is duration of armistice; and, (3) by substitution of “renewal of armed attack” for “another act of aggression”, eliminating any implication that action contemplated in the statement require prior new finding of aggression by UN.
Request you immed communicate foregoing rev to Eden and seek UK agreement thereto.
FYI rev has also been communicated Govts South Africa, NZ, Austrl and Canada, as well as to Govts Neth, Belg (including Lux), France, Turk and Greece. Govts Turk and Greece had previously agreed preceding draft.
You may inform Eden USGovt continues attach greatest importance early agreement on this statement. You may also inform Eden after agreement on statement achieved US will discuss with concerned Govts methods whereby UN cld be associated with statement after its issuance.