Telegram from Ambassador John Muccio to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

WAT RE INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State ABC 61 TELEGRAPH BRANCH .8 CONNE DENTIAL A Control: 7783 RockPal- to Action Rec'd: FE July 16, 1951 FROM: Pusan 7:51 a.m. Info TO: Secretary of State SS DECLASSIFIED G NO: 48, July 16, 6 p.m. P UNA OLI DEPCIRTEL 21 July 6. CIA IE DCR Crux of armistice info problem currently and event actual cessation hostilities here is widespread suspicion that despite record US is abandoning ROK. Altho much will depend on nature of armistice terms (e.g., whether based on Thirty-eighth Parallel, arrangements for polit negots, security safeguards, etc) major need present and post- armistice period will be frequent, reassuring statements by high level US officers meeting Koreans principal fears as far as possible. As Dept aware USIE here already faced with problem off- setting ROK official line that any armistice inconclusive and renewal push to north imperative. This line currently basis for large-scale, organized campaign throughout country. Exploitation this line within Korea and abroad tends bolster Commie efforts portray armistice as their victory. Accordingly positive hard-hitting campaign aimed stressing US-UN-ROK cooperation for freedom peace security and reconstruction believed necessary. Campaign to be successful now and post armistice period must reach and convince broad mass Koreans that: (1) armistice is not return to the 1945 status quo. US-UN efforts since 1945 has been and remains repulsion of aggression, re-establishment and safeguarding of peace and reunification Korea by peaceful means (2) aggression has been repelled and freedom of ROK maintained result collective action free countries. US-UN successfully purchased peace and freedom for ROK at high cost of men, money and materials in face declared Commie goal drive ROK-UN forces into sea (3) fol victory against aggression, same free countries are cooperating with ROK in maintaining peace and reconstructing country (4) in last analysis, ROK interests, especially security-wise; dependenc continued cooperation with US-UN. World war wld be fatal to Korea, hence Korea must recognize vital build up strength free world on global basis as best means deterring future Sov aggression anywhere. Recommend statements, -42 AL REPRODUCTION OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED