Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

HLT (Navel Aide)67 OFFICE OF the THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON August 14, 1950 S E SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS USSR In an analysis of Soviet policies, Ambassador Kirk in Moscow states that although the Kremlin is prepared to assume grave risks in the pursuit of its objectives, it does not desire to become engaged in a global conflict in the near future. Kirk believes that the USSR intends to exploit its dual policy of 'blandishment and threat, "championing world peace on one hand and inflating a war scare on the other. This dual process reached a crescendo, according to Kirk, with the outbreak of hostilities in Korea and the Stockholm peace appeal. The defense of the Korean Republic by 53 United Nations mem- ber states constituted a setback for the USSR, which must now be con- sidering these alternatives in its policy: 1) an attack in Europe, which is evidently not planned; 2) further outbreak of hostilities through USSR satellites, which--ince it would allow the west more time to marshall its military strength - would seem detrimental to USSR objectives; 3) allowing a Korean settlement to work itself out and encouraging an "atmosphere of relaxation;" or 4) continual exploitation of the mystery of Soviet strength to drain the west economically. KOREA We have advised several of our missions that the propa- - ganda statements by Security Council President Malik make clear that a main Soviet objective is to obscure the United Nations character of the Korean action by emphasizing that the fighting is being carried on by US forces virtually alone. We consider it essential that all those nations whose military capabilities are adequate for the pur- - pose should send ground troops to Korea as a matter of urgency. Embassies London and Paris have been instructed to see the Prime Ministers of the UK and France, urging Attlee and Pleven to increase the tempo of aid to the Korean Repúblic. E E T DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 6-5-85