Office of the Historian

304. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Korea1

Washington, April 16, 1968, 1810Z.

147513. Subject: Instructions for Fifteenth Closed Meeting. Ref: A. Seoul 5641;2 B. State 135403.3

1.
In view of Pak’s long delay in calling fourteenth meeting, and in order to avoid appearing eager, Admiral Smith should wait until April 19 and then propose private meeting on April 22.
2.
Smith should open meeting with following statement:
A.
At our last meeting, I suggested that, if you cannot accept the proposals which I have made for settling the problem before us, you give me a concrete proposal of your own in writing. I cannot understand why you are unwilling to do so, but in an effort to get on with the business of these talks, I have brought with me a draft of the receipt which I am prepared to sign at the time of the release of the Pueblo’s officers and men. (At this point Smith should read and hand Pak draft receipt set forth in para. 3.D., ref B.)
B.
As you can see, this draft receipt includes the three-point proposal which I first made at the twelfth meeting. The draft receipt also takes proper notice of the statements and evidence which you put forth at our past meetings. I believe that it provides a fair and reasonable basis for agreeing upon the immediate release of the Pueblo’s crew.
C.
I trust that you fully appreciate the effort which we have made to be responsive to the views which you have expressed in these meetings. You must clearly understand, however, that we cannot go beyond the substance of the draft receipt.
D.
I must remind you that your side proposed that the problem created by the seizure of the USS Pueblo be solved through meetings of the Senior Members of the Military Armistice Commission. We accepted this proposal in good faith, hoping to reach a speedy agreement on the release of the ship and its crew. After fourteen meetings without agreement or concrete, reasonable proposals from your side, we are entitled to question your seriousness in proposing use of this channel.
3.
In responding to Pak’s remarks, Smith is authorized to repeat as appropriate any statements in his previous instructions.
4.
Smith should not raise question of which side is to set time of next meeting. If subject comes up, however, Smith should agree that it is Pak’s turn.
5.
FYI. Purpose of paras. 2.D., and 4. is to create question in North Korean minds concerning our intentions. End FYI.
Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33–6 KOR N–US. Secret; Priority;Nodis; Cactus. Drafted by Yager, cleared by Walsh and Smith, and approved by Katzenbach. Repeated to Honolulu for the Presidential party. Johnson was in Hawaii for discussions with President Pak; see Document 194.↩
  2. See footnote 3, Document 303.↩
  3. Document 300.↩