Memorandum of Conversation

RE 4 DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation TO COPY FOR W.P. FILE 8t) DATE: Feb. 15, 1981 SUBJECT: Desire of French Government to be Consulted on Questions Relating to Crossing of 38th Perellel in Korea. PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Jean Deridan, Minister-Counseler, French Embassy Mr. Deen Rusk, Assistant secretary, PE Mr. Arthur 9. Casons, 3rd, officer in Charge, Korean Affairs, NA COPIES TO: F8 NA YE S/5 R RX PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 Mr. Deridan called on Mr. Rusk this afternoon at 2130 by previous appointment. Mr. Rask referred to the surrent setions of the French unit in Keree against the Communists and asked whether the French public was being given good news coverage on these actions. Mr. Daridan replied that such vas the 6860 and that recently one French coprespondent had been killed in the front lines while obtaining material for his news dispatches. Kr. Deridan said that his call related to the desire of the French Foreign office " present certain views concerning the question of the 38th parallel, in the form of as informal merche. He wanted St understood that this vas seant in the BOST friendly possible vey. He explained that the Treach GOVERN sent hoped that ON ground foress would not make a substantial erossing of the 38th parallel at present nor until consultations could be held between the principal governments participating in the UN action. Mr. Rusk asked NT. Daridan what the French Governo sent eight have in sind in relation to the potential disedvantages of eressing the Parellel and Mr. Daridan explained that it vas felt that euch action would have the effect of seriously longaboa ing the UN supply lines; furthermore, should we again become overextended in Korea we night have to fall beek to a military line which would be less advantageous than the one presently held. Xr. Rusk 47