Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE DECLASSIFIED WASHINGTON State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 September 29, 1950 NLT, Date 6-10-85 By DEB TOP SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS KOREA In view of the swift development of the military campaign in Korea the Department feels that it is imperative for the General Assembly to take an early stand on the further steps to be taken in that country, in order to maintain and solidify the opinion of the free world. Although the US position is that the UN Command already possesses UN authorization by virtue of the June 27th resolution to take action north of the 38th parallel if this proves necessary in order to "repel the invaders and restore peace and security in the area", we feel that the political future of Korea north of the parallel still depends on UN action. The Depart- ment believes it is important that no action by the General Assembly should cast doubts on the present status of the Republic of Korea, as its government is unquestionably a freely chosen government established through elections observed by the UN Commission and approved by the General Assembly. On the other hand we do not want to give the impression to our Allies that we desire to force the present government down their throats. We hope to be able to per - suade the ROK to cooperate with the UN and to show by its conduct during the coming days that it merits confidence and consideration. In view of the fact that UN observed elections were held in South Korea as late as May 31st of this year and in view of strong ROK objections to repeating these elections in the near future, we feel that it might be best to postpone elections both in the North and in the South for a considerable period of time, until the scars of war are no longer uppermost in the minds of the people, perhaps a year, or until President Rhee's term of office expires in May 1952. From reports from Ambassador Henderson in New Delhi and from British UN sources it is apparent that the Government of India has been frightened by the pace of developments in Korea, fearing that the situation might explode into a general war. India has suddenly altered its previously expressed belief that Com- munist China would not intervene militarily in Korea, and now reports that it fears such intervention may be likely. The UK has replied to these Indian warnings, and we are inclined to agree with the UK reply, that India is falling prey to a war of nerves and that TOP SECREPI