Telegram from John Muccio to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

MENT OF INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State TELEGRAPH BRANCH 15 SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION Action Control: 3796 Rec'd: June 9, 1952 FE FROM: Pusan 12:44 p.m. Info DECLASSIFIED TO: Secretary of State E.O. 12065, Sec. 3.402 SS G Dept. Guidelines, March 1982 NO: 1316, June C, 9 p.m. EUR 4-18-85 By UNA USUN PRIORITY OLI CIA Rptd info CINCUNC, EUSAK ADVANCE, DEPUTY COMMANDER EUSAK, ARMY CG-2 LOG COMMAND, CG UNCACK DIP-297 BY OTHER MEANS. AIR NAVY Ref EMBTEL 1315 June 9 rptd CINCUNC DIP - 296. EURX SAM UNCURK met with Rhee morning June 9 to discuss it's June 7 P letter (see REFTEL). Plimsoll informed me Rhee's reaction was I negative. He was not interested in compromise as his only DCR interest was in getting agreement that his proposed constitutional DCRM amendment be adopted. Rhee said that .Prime Minister had told him Assembly was coming around and wld finally agree to his amendments. Rhee also told UNCURK the Assemb ymen had been relying on my return with another message from Pres Truman but that they now knew no immediate help was coming from that quarter. Rhee went on to say he did not want to reply in writing to UNCURK's letter as he wld have to say things embarrasing to foreigners, including UNCURK, Pres Truman and myself. (Presumably he had in mind references to undue interference and possible accusation harboring his enemies). In course of conversation Rhee men mentioned that in Koreas 40 years struggle "this sort of thing" (internal polit conflict) has always gone on and no need get excited now if we w1d only trust him. According to Plimsoll Rhee also mentioned many now familiar points to support reasons for his actions including great conspiracy. In this connection he stressed conviction that Communists having failed accomplish their purposes at Panmunjom had turned attention to internal ROK affairs. Plimsoll said he had raised question why Rhee had not called on UNC for assistance in investigating alleged Communist plot. Apparently Rhee did not give direct reply but said something about intention to request UNC for assistance of two investigators. It is not surprising that Rhee refused accept UNCURK's proposition in meeting with them. I do not take this to mean definitely that he will not give any consideration to their proposal or to similar ideas which I expressed to him on June 6. I do not understand statement allegedly made to him by PM who as already reported was most doubtful June 7 when I saw him that Assembly opposition wld be willing compromise or capitulate. Situation shld be somewhat more clarified next few days. At my suggestion Plimsoll will call on Rhee SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION REPRODUCTION FROM THIS COPY, IF CLASSIFIED, IS PROHIBITED