Telegram from Allan Lightner to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State BE TELEGRAPH BRANCH 13-H-X SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION Action Control: 13581 Rec'd: May 29, 1952 FE FROM: Pusan 8:44 a.m. Info TO: Secretary of State SS G NO: 1187, May 29, 7 p.m. UNA USUN OLI NIACT CIA ARMY RPTD INFO CINCUNC, EUSAK ADVANCE DIP 212 BY OTHER MEANS. AIR NAVY UNCURK met with Rhee and principal lieutenants this morning. P Present at meeting besides Pres were Buenl, Van Itersun, I Plimsoll, Matthiew, Minister of Defense, Home Minister, IBS Justice Minister, martial law Commander Won with Vinacour DCR taking votes. Following account of the meeting supplied by DCRM Plimsoll. Portions in quotes are Rhee's exact words as taken down by Plimsoll during meeting. Rhee informed commission he had received its letter last night and would answer in writing. then said, "General Van Fleet was here yesterday and heard discussion of whole situation. General Van Fleet realized necessity of continu- ing this thing. Rhee referred to increased activity on part of Communist guerrillas; all sorts of rumors, mob demon- strations" but declined to be specific with the comment that he 'wouldn't trouble commission with these things now. Rhee declared that there was secret group in Assembly which, with die-hard elements of DNP, had sole aim "of seizing control of government by electing one of own number as president. He said one member of Assembly had voluntarily surrendered and confessed receiving money. He refused give his name. Rhee then said he was not trying to break up a group because it is against president or government but be- cause it is against will of people. Will of people demands that president be elected by people". At this point Van Itersun asked Rhee if it were not true that according to constitution, President is elected by National Assembly. Rhee replied, "technically they are right but government's position is that democratic form of government is based on will of people". President then tried dismiss discussion of offensive group of assembly with threat, "this group will be broken up. I assure you that it won't take long. However, Van Itersun tried once again to pin Rhee down and asked if he believed an opposition was permissable. Rhee said that minorities and majorities existed in every democratic country. Van Itersun then asked: "Then do you think opposition should be kept as 138 minority?" SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION REPRODUCTION FROM THIS COPY, IF CLASSIFIED, IS PROHIBITED