Telegram from Acting Secretary of State James Webb

NLT DIVISION OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS TELEGRAPH BRANCH DEPARTMENT OF STATE COPYO M. BX E-3 <<<< OUTGOING TELEGRAM CONTROL Origin Classification FE approved 1171 - AMEMBASSY Info SS NEW DELHI. G OCT 4 1950 problem 506 DEPT feels that present days are most critical time during which decisions and actions in Korea may determine course events for long time to come. It is at this moment uniquely and vitally important that we try to disabuse CHI Commies misconceptions they may hold as to US intents and purposes in Korea. Up to now this GOVT'S sole channel communication with CHI Commies, except for public statements by of- ficials, has been dubiously reliable intermediary Pannikar. free-wheeling proclivities Given latter's predispositions and/ we can- not be sure what Chou-En-Lai says or hears in conversations with him. Therefore, even though fo1 may consist to some extent repetition what you have already said to Bajpai and which presumably transmitted to Peiping, DEPT feels you M might seek some opportunity through Bajpai to meet CHI AMB and put directly to him this GOVT'S position re Korea. SHLD this prove too difficult or impracticable to arrange, you might consider some alternative method, such as suggesting e/s Bajpai FE only TOP SECRET