Office of the Historian

501.BB Korea/9–1148: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Bliss) to the Secretary of State

London, September 11 [14], 1948—1 p. m.
[Received September 15—2:38 a. m.]

4103. From Dickover1: On September 13 discussed Korean affairs with Foreign Office officials who stated that while cannot accept government of South Korea as national government of all Korea, they cannot accept recently established government in North Korea as true government in any sense. Consequently if USSR attempts to put government in North Korea before GA as national government of Korea, UK will oppose with all means possible.

Regarding tactics in GA, Foreign Office believes would be advantageous to let USSR take initiative and propose government in North Korea as national government. This proposal would be promptly defeated by big majority, thus clearing path for such proposals as we may desire to have brought forward. However, Dening and others believe best plan would be to avoid acrimonious discussion by simply accepting report of UNTCOK and making no proposals regarding national government of Korea. If report is accepted, they believe that most countries will promptly recognize government in South Korea as de jure government of South Korea.

Foreign Office further states would support admission of government of South Korea into UN but would oppose admission of government of North Korea as that government does not possess necessary qualifications. However, probably could not prevent North Korean representatives speaking before committees of UN if they so desire.

Foreign Office desires to know if State Department expert on Korea will visit London before proceeding Paris.2 [Dickover.]

Bliss
  1. Erle R. Dickover, Counselor of Embassy.↩
  2. Telegram 3747, September 23, 7 p. m., informed London that 4103 was too late to permit Mr. Jacobs to visit London en route to Paris. (Repeated as 40 to Paris for GADel.) 4103 was also repeated to Mr. Jacobs on September 27.↩