TEXT OF BRITISH NOTE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27074, 24 June 1953, Page 9

TEXT OF BRITISH NOTE

“Violation Of U.N. Authority”

LONDON, June 22. A Note of protest from the British Government to the South Korean Government had been delivered by the British Minister in Seoul, the Prime Minister (Sir ‘Winston Churchill) told the House of Commons today. '.

The Note stated that the British Government had been shocked to read the statement of the President of South Korea (Dr. Syngman Rhee) of June 18 in which he stated that he ordered, on his own responsibility, the release of certain Korean prisoners. “As a member of the United Nations, whose military forces are participating in the Korean action, the British Government strongly condemns this treacherous violation of the authority of the United Nations Command to which the Government of Korea had agreed in 1950,” said the Note. “Moreover, the British Government understands that during recent weeks the Government of the Republic of Korea has actually reaffirmed this position by assurances to the United Nations Command that no unilateral action of this kind would be taken by it. “The British Government is anxiously watching the course of events, which are fraught with serious possibilities. Unless there is a government in the Republic of Korea which will co-operate loyally with the United Nations Command, the security and welfare of its people, as well as all the gains which have been made by the sacrifice of so many, including the gallant Republic of Korea Army, will be jeopardised.” The Prime Minister cojnmented that the United Nations was “thus confronted with grave and serious problems.”

He said the British Government remained “in the closest touch with the United States Government and the

Commonwealth Governments.” A Foreign Office spokesman, after the debate, said that the Note to South Korea was sent with the knowledge of the American and Commonwealth Governments. All other countries with forces in Korea were being told of its contents. The Queen gave Sir Winston Churchill an audience tonight.