Telegram from Allan Lightner to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State RE TELEGRAPH BRANCH 18-H RESTRICTED SECURITY INFORMATION Action Control: 13497 FE Rec' d: May 29, 1952 FROM: Pusan 5:12 a.m. Info SS TO: Secretary of State G EUR NO: 1186, May 29, 4 p.m. (SECTION ONE OF FOUR) UNA DECLASSIFIED USUN OLI NIACT E.O. 10501 CIA ARMY FOR MUCCIO AIR NAVY Rhee asked me send you following message and requests you give P copy to Korean Embassy. Note particularly his view "situation - I will be settled in few weeks by open public trials and the prin- IBS ciple of democracy be put in practice". DCR DCRM "My dear Mr. Ambassador: "I am glad to receive your letter and to learn that you have arrived safely in Washington. It is very good of you to grant me this opportunity to express my views regarding the current political disturbance in Pusan. "First of all, I would like to point out that my entire life has been devoted to achieving the goal of a one, democratic, and independent world. Throughout the world, my lifelong struggle against tyranny in every form -- whether it be Fascism, Japanese Imperialism, or Communism -- is widely known and recognized. -No one has ever, or could ever, accuse me of cuddling or comprom- ising with any one or any group which is undemocratic. "This unrelenting opposition to tyrants and corruption has nat- urally created some bitter enemies. As you know, I have some personal enemies of long-standing who have grouped together il- legally with the sole purpose of discrediting and undermining me -- even if they have to tear down the whole constitutional Government of the Korean Republic in order to do so. They have now (rpt now) resorted to widespread character assassination stories, goundless rumors, and acceptance of large amounts of bribe money. "The aim of this group is to seize complete control of the Na- tional Assembly, organizing a cabinet and electing a president subject to their control, and thereby ultimately take over the entire government -- putting the whole nation under the control of a small 424 RESTRICTED SECURITY INFORMATION REPRODUCTION FROM THIS COPY, IF CLASSIFIED, IS PROHIBITED