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

357.AD/8–351: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea

secret

Washington, August 3, 1951—6 p. m.

104. For McClurkin¹ Congressman Richards, Chairman House Comite on Fon Affairs has introduced bill HR5020 reducing request for Korean rehabilitation by $100 million. Richards’ statement of Aug 1, 1951 stated, “No one, including myself, underestimates the importance or magnitude of the Korean rehabilitation problem. However, the war is not yet over; rehabilitation cannot begin. When rehabilitation can begin, the United States can and should do its part. The authorization in the bill is for a contribution to a United Nations Agency² which is still essentially on a ‘stand-by basis.’ Other nations should be encouraged to undertaken suitable share of this burden. In any event, there is now a balance of about $50 million left over from fiscal year 1951 that could be made available for Korea—$50 million unobligated from fiscal year 1951 and $12.5 of new request as proposed in my bill. For these reasons, the cut of $100 million can be justified.” Dept seeking counter Richards objection to full authorization of $162.5 at this time. If Kingsley initiates subj request you indicate that in Dept’s opinion stop-over Wash cld be helpful.

[Repeat to:] USPolAd Tokyo—Topad 177.

Acheson

1. Robert J. G. McClurkin, Deputy Director of the Office of Northeast Asian Affairs.
2. The reference is to UNKRA.