2. Decides to invite a representative of the Republic of Korea to take part in the discussion of the Korean question without right of vote. IX-66 "THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAM OFFERS THE BEST HOPE OF BRINGING ABOUT KOREAN UNIFICATION": Statement Made by the U.S. Representative (Cook) in Committee I of the U.N. General Assembly, December 10, 1963 15 The Korean question is basically the problem of unification. I will speak only briefly on this problem. My delegation has no wish to make this debate a contentious one. The principles and issues have long been defined and are familiar to all delegations. We have before us the report of the U.N. Commission, document A/5512.16 It is a factual and objective account of developments during the past year in the Republic of Korea. It notes particularly the economic progress made, and the preparations for the re-establishment of representative civilian government. The process of restoring representative civilian government is now almost complete. On October 15, Acting President PAK Chong-hui was elected to the presidency, defeating former President YUN Po-sun by approximately 150,000 votes out of 11 million cast. The U.N. Commission, which observed that election, has stated in its Report A/5512/Add. 1 that the voting was "properly organized and held in an orderly and regular manner." The election of the legislature, the final preparatory step in the transfer of power to civilian representative government, was then held on November 26, 1963, again in an orderly and quiet manner. The Democratic Republican Party won 110 of the 175 seats, and the Opposition parties' 65 seats. The U.N. Commission also observed these elections and in its report (A/5512/Add.1) concluded that "on the basis of its observation of the voting and counting, the Commission is of the opinion that the recent National Assembly elections were carried out in a peaceful, orderly and fair manner." On December 17, the President is to be inaugurated and the legislators sworn in. We believe that the Government of the Republic of Korea is to be complimented on the carrying out of its commitment to restore representative civilian government this year. The commitment to representative governments lies at the heart of the Korean problem. A comparison of the election process in the Republic of Korea will show a sharp contrast to that of North Korea. On December 3, local elections were held in North Korea. A single slate of candidates was presented, and the electorate had no chance to select another candidate or to vote against the slate put forward by the Government. Last year, national elections were held, with a 15 U.S.-U.N. press release No. 4339, Dec. 10, 1963. 1 Ante, doc. IX-60. single slate of candidates as usual. The North Korean regime made the then unique claim that a flat 100 per cent of the eligible voters had gone to the polls and had all supported the single Communist slate of candidates. This claim has been repeated in connection with the December 1963 elections, the North Korean regime announcing that within three hours and 35 minutes after the voting began, 100 per cent participation of the eligible voters had again been achieved. Such announcements show contempt for common sense and credulity. The elections in North Korea were, of course, a mockery. The people obviously had no choice whatever-not even that of withholding their votes-and the results were manifestly of no value as an indicator of the wishes of the electorate. The essential feature of the United Nations formula for a solution of the Korean problem is free elections under the United Nations. The Republic of Korea has repeatedly carried out this process. The North Korean regime, on the other hand, denying the competence and authority of the United Nations to act on the Korean question, has consistently rejected this eminently reasonable solution to the problem of unification. The so-called elections in North Korea are of a very different order from those in the south, and it is indeed not surprising that the North Korean regime has been unwilling to permit their scrutiny by the U.N. Commission. 18 Before closing, I feel I must refer to recent disturbing developments related to the Korean armistice. This is the tenth anniversary year of that Armistice." The North Korean regime has used this occasion to present to this body a lengthy report is giving statistics of alleged violations of the Armistice Agreement by the United Nations Command. We must keep in mind, of course, that the unprovoked aggression of 1950 was launched by the North Korean regime, and that the United Nations, in its first collective security effort, established the United Nations Command to repel that aggression.19 With respect to the Armistice itself, it must be noted that the North Korean regime cynically disregarded its provisions from the outset, bringing in large quantities of military equipment in specific violation of the terms of the agreement. The most flagrant and obvious violation was the establishment of a strong air force. There had been none in North Korea during the hostilities. As for the specific North Korean allegations, the United Nations Command has freely admitted a number of unintentional violations of the demarcation line. The North Koreans, too, have been guilty of such technical violations, although they have to date admitted only two violations. No discussion of the Armistice situation would, however, be complete without noting the aggressive and provocative behavior of the North Korean regime during the past year. It continues to hold two helicopter personnel of the United Nations Command-Captains Ben Stutts and Carleton W. Voltz-as reported in United Nations Docu Text in American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basic Documents, vol. I, pp. 724-750. 15 U.N. doc. A/C.1/887. 19 See American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basic Documents, vol. II, pp. 2536-2663. ment A/5641,20 in gross violation of general international practice, and with callous disregard of the United Nations and of the rudimentary elements of humanity. To date, the families have not even been permitted communication with these men. In July, 21 North Korean personnel killed two United Nations Command guards who happened to be Americans, and severely wounded a third, near the border of the Demilitarized Zone, and on November 13 they fired on an unarmed Armistice team checking demarcation line markers, killing an officer who happened to be Korean. Mr. Chairman, a resolution, which my Government has the honor to cosponsor has just been submitted.22 The purpose of this resolution is to reaffirm the objectives of the United Nations in Korea-that is "to bring about by peaceful means the establishment of a unified, independent and democratic Korea under a representative form of government, and the full restoration of international peace and security in the area." The resolution also calls upon the North Korean authorities "to accept those established United Nations objectives which have been repeatedly affirmed by the General Assembly" and "urges that continuing efforts be made to achieve those objectives." The United Nations Commission for the Unification of Korea has operated effectively in that part of Korea where the great majority of Koreans reside. The resolution just submitted asks that this Commission continue its work. My government continues to believe that the United Nations program offers the best hope of bringing about Korean unification and of serving the interests of international peace and the welfare of all the Korean people. The Republic of Korea has placed its hope in the United Nations for solution of the problem of unification. The United Nations has proposed a just and reasonable program. Continued firm support for that program offers the best hope of reuniting the Korean people. The United States strongly urges the adoption by this Assembly of this resolution. IX-67 THE KOREAN QUESTION: Resolution 1964 (XVIII), Adopted by the U.N. General Assembly, December 13, 1963 23 The General Assembly, Having noted the report of the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea signed at Seoul, Korea, on 20 Ante, title IX-63. "See ante, docs. IX-58-59. 22 Infra. 23 U.N. General Assembly Official Records, Eighteenth Session, Supplement No. 15 (A/5515), p. 17. This resolution, sponsored by the representatives of 14 member states (including the U.S.), was adopted by a vote of 65 (including the U.S.) to 11, with 24 abstentions. 23 August 1963,24 and the addenda to the report signed at Seoul on 21 25 and 29 November 1963,20 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 1958,27 1455 (XIV) of 9 December 1959,28 1740 (XVI) of 20 December 1961 29 and 1855 (XVII) of 19 December 1962.30 Noting that the United Nations forces which were sent to Korea in accordance with United Nations resolutions 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 the 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 government, and the full restoration of international peace and security in the area; 2. Calls upon the North Korean authorities to accept those established United Nations objectives which have been repeatedly affirmed by the General Assembly; 3. Urges that continuing efforts be made to achieve those objectives; 4. 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. 1280th plenary meeting. IX-68 KOREAN-UNITED STATES CONSULAR CONVENTION, Signed at Seoul by the American Ambassador (Berger) and the Korean Foreign Minister (Choi), January 8, 1963, Entered Into Force December 19, 1963 31 "Ante, doc. IX-60. U.N. doc. A/5512/Add.1, pp. 1-4, cited as title IX-61, ante. 2 Ibid., pp. 5-7, cited as title IX-62, ante. "For citations to the resolutions mentioned up to this point, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1959, p. 1222, footnotes 3-11. 28 Text ibid., pp. 1222-1223. "Text ibid., 1961, pp. 981-982. 30 Text ibid., 1962, p. 1065. TIAS 5469; 14 UST 1637. LAOS IX-69 UNITED STATES REFUTATION OF PATHET LAO ACCUSATIONS THAT THE REFUGEE RELIEF PROGRAM IN LAOS "VIOLATES THE GENEVA ACCORDS": Statement Released to the Press by the American Embassy in Vientiane, Laos, January 25, 1963 32 33 BACKGROUND In its efforts to assist the Royal Lao Government to achieve stability since the formation of the Government of National Union in August 1962, the United States Government has, at the request of the Royal Lao Government, continued a program of supplying food and other relief material to refugee groups in various parts of the Kingdom. Many of these refugees are opposed to the Pathet Lao, one of the three factions within the Government of National Union, and the Pathet Lao have sought to prevent delivery of these relief supplies by several means, even including shooting down unarmed relief planes. The Pathet Lao have sought to justify these actions by asserting that the relief aircraft drop arms and ammunition, that alleged arms drops originate outside Laos, and that the United States contract air carrier is a paramilitary organization which violates the Geneva Accords of July 23, 1962," which provided international guarantees for the neutral status of Laos. In order to establish the falsity of the Pathet Lao accusations, the American Embassy at Vientiane released to the press on January 25 the following statement and attached memorandum.* STATEMENT TO THE PRESS, VIENTIANE Protracted civil strife in Laos has given rise to strong emotions and deep suspicions which are not easily forgotten. The Government of National Union, under the leadership of its Prime Minister, His Highness Prince Souvanna Phouma, was formed nearly seven months ago. During this period, many of these emotions have begun to cool, and a beginning has been made toward achieving the cooperation and mutual confidence needed to unify Laos once again. The United States fully supports His Highness Prince Souvanna Phouma and his Government and has manifested this support by providing substantial assistance for education, roads, village development, agriculture, and other development projects; and by contributing the cost of a large part of the Kingdom's needs for imported commodities. The United States will continue to do whatever possible to assist His Highness Prince Souvanna Phouma and his Government. 32 Department of State Bulletin Apr. 15, 1963, pp. 567–569. See American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1962, p. 1072. footnote 97. Text ibid., pp. 1075–1083. 35 Memorandum not reprinted here. |