Office of the Historian

320.2 AB/8–2751

Press Release of the United States Mission to the United Nations, for Release at 6 p. m., E.D.T., Friday, June 8, 1951

[New York,] June 8, 1951.

Press Release No. 1214

The following is the text of a letter transmitted to Secretary General Trygve Lie by Ambassador Ernest A. Gross, Acting United States Representative to the United Nations, on the designation of United States Armed Forces in accordance with the Uniting for Peace Resolution:

  • “I have the honor to refer to paragraph 9 of Resolution 377(V), adopted by the General Assembly on 3 November 1950, and in accordance therewith to request you to advise the Collective Measures Committee of the measures taken by my Government in implementation of paragraph 8 of that Resolution.
  • 1. At the present time, elements of the National Armed Forces of the United States are serving under the Unified Command in Korea pursuant to the recommendations of the Security Council and the General Assembly. A general description of these elements as now constituted follows:
    • Ground Forces: Three Army Corps and one Marine Division, with supporting elements.
    • Naval Forces: A fast Carrier Task Group with a blockade and escort force, an amphibious force, reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare units, and supporting ships.
    • Air Forces: One Tactical Air Force, one Bombardment Command, and one Combat Cargo Command, all with supporting elements.
  • The United States Government regards the maintenance of these forces as fulfillment at this time of the purposes of the recommendations of the General Assembly in the Uniting for Peace Resolution. After termination of hostilities in Korea and after the United States Armed Forces now opposing aggression in Korea have been withdrawn, the extent to which the United States will maintain armed forces which could be made available for United Nations service will be reviewed.
  • 2. The United States is maintaining elements of its National Armed Forces in Europe, shortly to include the equivalent of six Army Divisions, and Naval and Air Force elements, in furtherance of the North Atlantic Treaty and as a part of the efforts of the parties to the Treaty for Collective Defense und for the preservation of Peace and Security. The Treaty by its terms comes within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations, and the United States Forces maintained in furtherance of the Treaty could, in appropriate circumstances, pursuant to the Treaty and the Charter and in accordance with due constitutional process, participate in collective military measures to maintain or restore Peace and Security in the North Atlantic Area in support of United Nations action.
  • 3. The United States will continue to keep this matter under constant review in the light of changing circumstances and in furtherance of the policy of the United Nations to build up an effective collective security system.
  • Accept [etc.]”