795.00/6-452: Telegram
The Secretary of Defense (Lovett) to the Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Clark) 註01
top secret
priority
Washington, June 4, 1952-3:29 p.m.
DEF 910410. From Secretary of Defense signed Lovett. Secretary of State and I appreciate your analysis of military factors in present Korean political crisis and your representations to Rhee. The United States Government is fully aware of the serious military implications of taking direct action in the near future. Since collapse of the Korean Government through bitter political deadlock would injure United Nations and United States interests and jeopardize the security and functioning of your command, we strongly hope agencies of the United Nations and of the United States Government will join their efforts and use their great powers of persuasion in taking measures short of the grave and distasteful steps of open military intervention. We share your hope that the extreme step of imposing any form of military government can be avoided. The United States and United Nations political objectives in Korea would be jeopardized on the one hand by undemocratic methods of the Government of the Republic of Korea or by the imposition of military government by the United Nations Command Forces. The latter contingency should be contemplated only as a last resort if necessary to support the military effort. Our chief objective must therefore be to facilitate a political solution which will make possible continued support by Government and People of Republic of Korea of United Nations action against the aggressor.
The military and political factors in present domestic crisis in Korea are clearly interrelated. The present main burden of approach and representation to President Rhee must rest with UNCURK, the United States Ambassador and Diplomatic Representations from other governments; however, United States Government believes it imperative that prestige and influence of CINCUNC be used to greatest extent feasible in presenting strong unanimity of views. Effect of President Truman’s personal message to Rhee has created situation in which continued firm representation to Rhee may yet bring about abatement of crisis and attempts at compromise reconciliation between groups, which is immediate objective of United States Government. Care must be taken that President Rhee be given no room to imagine divergencies exist between United States political and military viewpoints which he would quickly exploit to his advantage.
We hope you will continue close and active cooperation and consultations with the United States Ambassador in Korea and with UNCURK in order to advise them and provide them with full support, short of active military intervention. Copy of State’s instructions to Muccio will be furnished you by him.
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