유엔한국임시위원단의 선거관련 논평

DEPARTMENT OF STATE DIVISION OF NORTHEAST ASIAN AFFAIRS INCOMING TELEGRAM APR 26 1948 DEPARTMENT OF STATE Control 9085 Rec'd April 26, 1948 5:07 a.m. FROM: Seoul TO: Secretary of State NO: 270, April 26 Office of FAR EASTERN AFFAIRS APR 26 1948 DIRECTOR Department of State FROM CONGEN USAFIK TO STATE DEPARTMENT INFO JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, CINCFE CITE ZPOL 532. HODGE SENDS FOR JACOBS. Following are comments on UNTCOM and related activities subsequent to those reported Seoul FCLAD's 253 April 19, 261 April 22, 264 April 23 and 265 April 23. One. Meetings: No meetings as delegates and members secretariat spent entire week making observation trips according to itinerary mentioned Paragraph Two, Seoul's 253 which however was so arranged that some delegate or officer of secretariat remained at headquarters in Seoul. During coming week there will probably be plenary session or sessions to discuss Jackson's tabled motion to decide at end of April whether atmosphere is satisfactory for UNTCOK observance of election. Believe majority will favor going ahead with observation at least insofar as atmosphere is concerned but am uncertain about new de­velopments that may arise if some new red herring enters out of Pyongyang conference, especially in view of in­terest of Jackson, Patterson and Mughir and Milner in that conference. Two. Documents: Only one document issued during week, viz: press release 56 April 17 containing resolution on death of President Roxas of Philippines. Three. Observation trips: In general comment of delegates and officers of secretariat on conditions found during past weeks observation trips has been favorable. Four. Unrest in UNTCOKS: Conversations which our liaison officer and I have had with members UNTCOK reveal that most of them are homesick, very tired of their job, fed up with lack of opportunity for recreation. This is partially responsible for desire to write report away from Seoul and not to make an effort to carry out points (A), (B) and (C) of Paragraph Four of Resolution Two Paragraph Five. Korean attitude: Generally speaking Koreans continue to be interested in forthcoming election but there is certain pall of uncertainty because of Pyongyang conference, especially here Seoul. There is also certain amount of disorder caused by Communist activity, especially on Cheju Island where Communists are most active, but these disorders have not assumed alarming proportions. For that reason and because I have been so preoccupied with other matters I have not attempted report thereon assuming that Department sees or can see CG USAFIK reports to Joint Chiefs of Staff on such matters. I may, however, submit summarization thereof next week especially if Cheju disorders become more serious. JACOBS