795.00/6–753: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Briggs) to the Department of State
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Unnumbered, DTG 070800Z. Repeated information CINCUNC (for General Clark and Ambassador Murphy). General Clark and I delivered President’s letter1 to President Rhee as scheduled this afternoon.
Prior delivering letter, we called attention offer relating mutual defense treaty, pointing out willingness begin discussion thereof as soon as armistice signed and accepted. We also informed Rhee that President intended make public his communication in Washington, and that Rhee accordingly free to do so here if he so desired. It was not, however, intended release in Washington text of Rhee’s May 30 letter.
[Page 1149]Rhee accepted letter stating that in view of source and importance he would prefer to defer reading it until alone, especially since he did not wish to make any comment at this time. We thereupon departed.
Our meeting took place shortly after Clark–Rhee meeting which will be reported separately by General on return to Tokyo this evening.2 In meantime, he asks me to say that no progress was made and Rhee appeared as inflexible as ever with respect to opposition to armistice. During this meeting, Rhee in emotional state and spoke of leading people north to suicide if necessary. In contrast, Rhee subdued and calm during our presentation of President’s letter.