795.00/4–1051
Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Northeast Asian Affairs (Johnson) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Rusk)
Subject: British Draft Declaration of April 10, 19511
I do not see that this proposal should in any way interfere with the release of the proposed Presidential report to the UN and the President’s speech. Nothing that is proposed be said by the President is inconsistent with the British proposal.
Apart from Korea itself, the proposal raises the larger question of whether a “Big 6” which includes the Chinese Communists is to be constituted. While the proposed conference would relate only to Korea it inevitably would provide a precedent for the consideration of other Far Eastern problems. It is of course obvious that we would be heavily outvoted and placed in a difficult position.
[Page 330]With respect to the proposal itself for Korea I believe the following should be noted:
- 1.
- The fate of Korea would be decided by the “Big 6” without any Korean participation whatever. The proposal entirely ignores the legitimate status and the position of the Republic of Korea. Its exclusion would undoubtedly present us with very serious problems in Korea itself.
- 2.
- The proposal entirely ignores the UN vs Communist China aspect of the Korean situation and treats Communist China on the basis of an entire equality with the countries which have at tremendous sacrifice been opposing its criminal acts.
- 3.
- Sub-paragraph (c) of the British proposal apparently envisages the wiping out of the Republic of Korea and a “fresh start.”
- 4.
- I question whether as a matter of tactics it is desirable to put forward a proposal as specific as this prior to any indication whatever that the Chinese Communists are willing to discuss a peaceful settlement thus prejudicing our bargaining position.
- Supra.↩