94 cratic foundation and to maintain a strong anti-Communist posture in Korea, the President expressed great interest in Korea's draft Five Year Economic Development Plan. In this connection, he assured the Chairman that the United States Government would continue to extend all possible economic aid and cooperation to the Republic of Korea, in order to further such long range economic development. The Chairman and the President discussed the problem of mutual defense against the threat of external armed aggression in the Pacific area. They recognized that the common interest of their two countries as bulwarks of the Free World against Communist expansion is deepened and reinforced by the fact that Korean and United States troops are brothers-in-arms, standing side by side in the United Nations Command for the defense of Korean soil. The President reaffirmed the determination of the United States to render forthwith and effectively all possible assistance to the Republic of Korea, in accordance with the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America signed on October 1, 1953,95 including the use of armed forces, if there is a renewal of armed attack. The two leaders recalled that Korea had been successfully defended against armed aggression by the first collective military measures pursuant to the call of the United Nations. They recalled the declarations by United Nations members whose military forces participated in the Korean action, including their affirmation that in the interests of world peace, "if there is a renewal of the armed attack, challenging again the principles of the United Nations, we should again be united and prompt to resist." 96 The Chairman and the President reaffirmed their faith in the United Nations, and their determination to seek the unification of Korea in freedom through peaceful means under the principles laid down and reaffirmed by the United Nations General Assembly. Chairman Park and President Kennedy expressed their deep satisfaction with their meeting and discussions and reiterated their resolve to continue to serve the cause of freedom and democracy, and to strengthen the friendly ties between their two peoples. 487. KOREAN PARTICIPATION, WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO VOTE, IN UNITED NATIONS DISCUSSION OF THE KOREAN QUESTION: Resolution Adopted by Committee I of the U.N. General Assembly, December 13, 1961 97 The First Committee, Recognizing that the participation of representatives of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and of the Republic of Korea can be 94 See footnote 87 to doc. 484, ante. 95 Text in American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basic Documents, pp. 897-898. 96 Text ibid., p. 2662. "U.N. doc. A/C.1/863. This resolution, sponsored by the Representative of Mongolia and amended by the Representatives of Greece and Thailand, was adopted by a vote of 63 (including the U.S.) to 18, with 19 abstentions. fruitful in the discussion of the Korean question only in accordance with the conditions set forth in resolution A/C.1/837 adopted by the First Committee at its 1146th meeting, 98 Noting that the Republic of Korea has repeatedly stated its acceptance of these conditions, Decides to invite representatives of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and of the Republic of Korea to take part in the discussion on the Korean question, without right of vote, provided, in the case of the former, that it first unequivocally accepts the competence and authority of the United Nations within the terms of the Charter to take action on the Korean question, as has already been done by the Republic of Korea. 488. THE KOREAN QUESTION: Resolution 1740 (XVI), Adopted by the U.N. General Assembly, December 20, 1961 9 The General Assembly, 99 Having noted the report of the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea signed at Seoul, Korea, on 11 September 1961,1 and the supplementary report of the Commission signed at Seoul, Korea, on 4 December 1961,2 Reaffirming its resolutions 112 (II) of 14 November 1947, 195 (III) of 12 December 1948, 293 (IV) of 21 October 1949, 376 (V) of 7 October 1950, 811 (IX) of 11 December 1954, 910 A (X) of 29 November 1955, 1010 (XI) of 11 January 1957, 1180 (XII) of 29 November 1957, 1264 (XIII) of 14 November 1958 and 1455 (XIV) of 9 December 1959,3 Noting that the United Nations forces which were sent to Korea in accordance with resolutions of the United Nations have in greater part already been withdrawn, and that the Governments concerned are prepared to withdraw their remaining forces from Korea when the conditions for a lasting settlement laid down by the General Assembly have been fulfilled, Recalling that the United Nations, under its Charter, is fully and rightfully empowered to take collective action to repel aggression, to restore peace and security and to extend its good offices to seeking a peaceful settlement in Korea, 1. Reaffirms that the objectives of the United Nations in Korea are to bring about, by peaceful means, the establishment of a unified, independent and democratic Korea under a representative form of gov "U.N. General Assembly Official Records, Sixteenth Session, Supplement No. 17 (A/5100), p. 8. This resolution, sponsored by the representatives of 15 member states (including the U.S.), was adopted by a vote of 60 to 11, with 27 abstentions. 1 Ante, doc. 485. U.N. doc. A/4900/Add. 1. 3 See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1959, pp. 1222-1223. ernment, and the full restoration of international peace and security in the area; 2. Urges that continuing efforts be made to achieve those objectives; 3. Requests the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea to continue its work in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly. LAOS 489. PROPOSAL FOR A ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS IN AND RESPECTING LAOS: Letter From the King of Cambodia (Norodom Sihanouk) to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. (Khrushchev), January 2, 1961 + Mr. CHAIRMAN: 4 Cambodia considers it a political rule for itself not to interfere in the internal affairs of other states, and it has always scrupulously observed this basic requirement of its neutrality. Nevertheless, it cannot remain impartial in the face of the situation that has developed on its borders as a result of the civil war that is raging in Laos and is pregnant with the threat of turning at any moment into an international conflict. I am permitting myself, as the head of a state that will be directly affected by the outcome of the recent events in Laos, to set out before Your Excellency the problems raised before Cambodia by the tragic development of the Laotian crisis and the means that, I submit, can be used to help in their resolution. 1. The most direct and noticeable consequence of the civil war in Laos is the flow of Laotian refugees into our country-refugees who are joining together with the South Vietnamese who have been finding asylum in Cambodia for several years and whose number is constantly growing. And here Cambodia, a poor country persistently at work to remove its own backwardness, is in no condition to meet the needs of the large number of unemployed refugees without inflicting serious damage on the five-year plan and on its own future. 2. Certain prominent leaders in friendly countries of both the socialist and Western blocs have informed me of their fears in the face of the serious events that have occurred in Laos, events that in these times have turned into a test of strength between the two active parties. What is more, at present the socialist and the Western powers are accusing one another of interference in internal Laotian affairs, of armed support of underground rebel groups, and of active participation in the civil war. This new theme of antagonism between the two competing blocs is serving to increase international tension and to make the detente so ardently desired by all peoples more remote. 3. Finally, Cambodia considers it its duty to come forth in defense of the fraternal people of Laos, whose existence is under a serious threat. It would conform in letter and spirit with the United Nations Charter and also with respect for the right of peoples to choose their own regime and policy, if the Laotian people were permitted to express their own will through free elections without foreign pressure or influence. No nation and no people in the world can remain impartial in the face of the sufferings of these peaceful people, who ob * English-language translation printed in The Current Digest of the Soviet Press, vol. XIII, No. 2, Feb. 8, 1961, pp. 25-26. Similar letters were addressed to the heads of government of the other participants in the 1954 conference on Indochina. The text of this letter was not made public until Jan. 13, 1961. Chairman Khrushchev's reply is printed post doc. 492. President Eisenhower's reply of Jan. 18 was not made public. tained their independence a few years ago; all wish that their sovereign right to decide their own destiny would be recognized. It must be admitted that Laos today is in a blind alley and that the problem, raised somewhat artificially by the division of this unfortunate country into several rival clans, cannot be solved by force. The conflicts of foreign ideological interests and even the foreign interference in the present problem of Laos force us to think that it is desirable and urgent to call a conference of all the countries that show an interest in the future of Laos and the Laotian people. This conference would have as its goal-while categorically repudiating a division of Laotian territory-the determining of means by which the peace in Laos can be restored and an opportunity given to the Laotian people to make their choice freely and clearly of what path they intend to follow. I think this conference could include: The countries that signed the 1954 Geneva agreements, i.e., France, Great Britain, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Chinese People's Republic, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Laos. The nations that took part in the commission for observation and control over the observance of the above-mentioned Geneva agreements-in this case, the Indian Republic, the Polish People's Republic, and Canada. It is obvious that the present state of affairs in Laos stems directly from the situation created in Indochina as a result of the 1954 Geneva agreements. But it is no less obvious that the countries that signed the Geneva agreements and the guarantee to observe these agreements cannot by themselves be held responsible for the Laotian civil war. I think it is necessary for nations that have a common border with Laos, i.e., Thailand, the Republic of Vietnam, and the Burman Union, to take part in the prospective conference. Finally, the United States of America, which has not ceased to manifest its interest in the Kingdom of Laos, should be urgently invited as a full participant in this conference. With strictly unselfish aims, I am permitting myself to set this "round table" project before Your Excellency, along with a request that you be so kind as to inform me of your view on this question, your objections, your critical comments, or any possible suggestions you might have, along with whatever direction Your Excellency might recommend it be given. I shall not be so bold as to judge the future of this project, but I think any nation that would refuse this proffered meeting would lose a large part of its moral prestige and of the trust of the lesser Afro-Asian nations. Finally, let me be allowed to specify that this conference should be convened on territory that is internationally recognized as neutral. Of course, Switzerland meets this condition, but its remoteness from the center of the problem makes it desirable for the choice to fall on an Asian nation that is neutral. 490. THE EXTENT OF COMMUNIST SUPPORT OF REBEL FORCES IN LAOS: Statement Issued by the Department of State, January 3, 1961 5 The Department of State, in view of the seriousness of the current situation in Laos, considers it necessary to make generally available the information now in its possession concerning the extensive Soviet and north Vietnamese participation in the Communist military operations against the Royal Lao Government and the Lao people. Since the withdrawal of Kong Le forces, accompanied by Pathet Lao units, from Vientiane on December 15, 1960, the Soviets and Department of State press release No. 2 (text as printed in the Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 23, 1961, pp. 114-115). north Vietnamese Communists have been engaged in an extensive airlift of war material to the Communist forces in the general area of Vang Vieng, Phong Hong, and Sam Neua, and most recently in the operations around Xieng Khouang. Substantial numbers of north Vietnamese Communist personnel were also parachuted into and landed in these areas from Soviet and north Vietnamese aircraft. While we do not know the exact total, hard evidence shows that Soviet and north Vietnamese transport aircraft since December 15 have made at least 180 sorties into Laos in support of the Kong Le/Pathet Lao forces. These aircraft consisted mostly of Soviet and north Vietnamese IL-14's (a Soviet-made aircraft comparable to the Convair). These 180 sorties were in addition to the 34 known flights into the Vientiane airport between December 3 and December 14. As is known, during this period Soviet IL-14 aircraft introduced into the battle for Vientiane 105-mm. howitzers, ammunition, gasoline, combat rations, and other war material. North Vietnamese military personnel were also landed or parachuted in to augment Kong Le's forces outside Vientiane who were engaged in the battle for Vientiane. The registration numbers of Soviet aircraft engaged in this airlift include 52042, 52051, 52065, 61797, 52008, 52043, 61796, 61798, and 61800. The last five of these aircraft were involved in the clandestine Soviet airlift in the Congo. Soviet heavy transport aircraft have been transiting Communist China into the north Vietnamese cities of Hanoi and Haiphong, backing up the illegal airlift into Laos. The chronology of this illegal Soviet and north Vietnamese airlift into Laos from December 15 is as follows: |