Page 444 in military operations against United Nations forces which are resisting
aggression.
I am interested in your suggestion of a "moratorium", but
am not clear what you have in mind.
thought on this a little further.
Perhaps you could develop your
Meanwhile, it seems to me that what
matters is that we should both do what we can (the initiative in ràising the
issue does not of course lie with either of us, but with Russia) to prevent
our known differences of view on this point from developing into a source
of misunderstanding between us. The legal arguments for seating them
there are in our view conclusive, though I should certainly not wish to dis-
play any enthusiasm in championing the claims of the Central People's ·
Government of China at the United Nations so long as they are set on their
present course. On the other hand, I could not act in such a way as might
imply support for the fiction that Chiang Kai-shek's representative in the
United Nations speaks for China.
The present is, as you say, not the moment for a public declaration
Nevertheless, I believe that it is still of great
of our aims in Korea.
Public
importance to clarify our policy and state our aims (including constructive
proposals for a settlement) as soon as ever it is practicable.
opinion in this country, and I imagine in many others, is groping for guidance
as to where we stand in Korea and what we are hoping to achieve. The
opportunity may occur if the United Nations forces succeed in blunting the
Chinese offensive. Perhaps the Chinese may by then be in a more chastened
mood and less unwilling to negotiate, but whether they are so or not I believe
that we owe it to our peoples and to our troops to define our policy. I
therefore welcome your suggestion that further talks should be held with
Sir Oliver Franks about the form which this declaration should take. I
should like us to make suitable preparations for operation at the psychological
moment.
Page 444
Page 444
-6-
334
Par4458said to me that he thought oup differensfgon Far
Eastern policy had been narrowing in recent months. I think that this
is true, and I am glad. He went on to say however that he thought we
might now be at a cross roads and our paths might begin to diverge
again. I hope this is not so; at any rate, if the risk exists, the best
way to guard against it is for us to exchange occasional messages.
That is why I especially valued the candour and friendliness of your
message, and I have tried to reply in the same spirit.