396.1 GE/5–954: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Delegation1

secret
priority

Tosec 111. Secto 1492 and 1563 sent Seoul 58 and 60 and Tokyo 31 and 38.

1.
Department has no objection proposed meeting working group in Geneva to discuss draft Plan B (Secto 149).
2.
Unless Rhee is prepared accept Plan B shortly suggest Dean and Briggs tell him ROK appears to be faced with alternatives cited paragraph 3 Secto 156. United States Delegation on basis full and regular discussions other allied delegations is convinced of necessity presenting Plan B and is therefore moving ahead with preparations do so at appropriate time. We believe it in best interests ROK to cooperate in development and presentation plan.
3.
Once this choice is presented to Rhee it may be desirable refrain from pressing him further for few days while following Delegation’s suggestion of concentrating at Geneva on Communist failure accept United Nations role and obtaining common acceptance Plan B.
4.
If as last resort it becomes necessary present Plan B without Rhee’s support Department believes it desirable minimize so far as possible appearance of open break between ROK and US. This might be achieved by (a) having Rhee agree not openly oppose until Communist position becomes clear and (b) having some other delegation such as Philippines put plan forward and having other allies speak in support of it first.
Dulles
  1. Also sent to Seoul as telegram 904 and to Tokyo as telegram 2468 with instructions to pass to CINCUNC.
  2. Dated May 8, p. 230.
  3. Supra.