Telegram from Ambassador Walter Gifford to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

55 INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State RE TELEGRAPH BRANCH 5-H CONTA DENTIAL DUPLICATE IN W. P. FILE Action Control: 6306 EUR FROM: London Rec'd: February 14, 1951 5:19 p.m. Info SS TO: Secretary of State E.O. 12055. G E State Dept. Guideline NO: 4429, February 14, 7 p.m. 12 1979 P L NEA FE SENT DEPARTMENT 4429 REPEATED INFORMATION USUN NY 74 UNA OLI Parrott, Head UN Department FONOFF, mentioned to EMBOFF February 13 strong British hope that US-UK can reach CIA DCR agreement on next steps in UN on question Chinese aggression in Korea through media of talks in Washington before efforts made to move ahead at Lake Success on this question either in GOC or CMC. Parrott said that UK does not repeat not want to "stall" but does consider US-UK agreement essential first step in view delicacy whole matter and that GOC which has just been constituted should be allowed necessary time for any attempts it may make before other steps taken. Views expressed by Parrott to EMBOFF are in accord with Government statements on this matter in House of Commons February 12. Attlee's speech contained following passage, we did not repeat not think that motion condemning China as aggressor and calling for sanctions was likely to promote object we had in view (settlement in FE). We believed, and we believe today, that door for negotiations should be kept open. We did not repeat not believe China had considered Government of China had said last word. We committed aggression--no doubt of that--but that there should be no question of applying sanctions until it had been made clear there was no further chance of achieving peaceful settlement through good offices committee or in any other way. We sought, therefore, at Lake Success to get original resolution amended and in that were successful. There is, therefore, a genuine offer for negotiations and China has everything to gain by discussing a peaceful settlement. Can Secretary External Affairs in first committee of UN put foward on 26 January number of proposals which I think are sound and fair basis of settlement. I hope they will be looked at very thoroughly by GOC and also by Central Government of China. In closing debate for Government Younger, Minister of State after referring to improved military situation said We objected to it (resolution naming China as aggressor) S3 principally FIDENTIAL 1 REPRODUCTION OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED