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List fr O.D. DEPARTMENT OF STATE CO Memorandum of Conversation NA RE DATE: February 12, 1951 SUBJECT: Korean Situation I PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Hubert Graves - British Embassy Dean Rusk - Assistant Secretary of State DUPLICATE ww. P. P.FILE COPIES TO: S/S G S/A Vol UNA FE S/P EUR U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 Mr. Graves brought in a copy of the attached message from Mr. Bevin to Sir Oliver Franks and said that there was a Cabinet meeting today in London for which he would like to pass along any points which might be of interest on the 38th parallel problem. I made the following preliminary comments to Mr. Graves: 1. The present penetration of the 38th parallel consists of the reconnaissance company of the ROK capital division, which has ad- vanced to a point four to five miles north of the 38th parallel along the east coast road, where there has been little or no opposi- tion for several days. 2. We do not contemplate a "major crossing of the parallel by our land forces"; in fact, it is not possible militarily in view of enemy dispositions and heavy enemy pressure in the central sector. The Unified Command has informed us that they have no such operations in mind. 3. The present operation in Korea is an active defense; the aggressive reconnaissance and thrusts recently made by General Ridgeway have been designed to punish the enemy, to keep him off balance, and to prevent his build-up for a renewal of his own offensive in strength. 4. The DRM -25