Evening star., 1947-05-10
Russia Agrees
ToU. 5. Ideas on
Korean ParIey
Moscow Broadcast
Quotes New MoIotov
Letter to Marshall
BY the Associated Press

LONDON, May 1O.-The Mos
COW radio said today that Russia
has accepted certain American
proposals for consulting Korean
representatives concerning the
formation of a provisional gov
.ernment in Korea.
The broadcast said the accept
ance was contained in letter from
Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov to
Secretary of State Marshall, who
had limited earlier that unless Rus
sia specifically agreed to consult
all Korean political elements on the
question the United States might
boycott a scheduled May 20 meeting
OF the joint United States Soviet
Commission in Seoul.
In Washington State Department
spokesman said Mr.. Molotov's let
ter was received yesterday but that
there will. be no comment until it
has been translated and studied.
Fourth in Series of Letters.
1t was the fourth in a series of
letters between the two diplomats
concerning the future of Korea,
which is now occupied by Russian
forces In the north and American
forces in the south. Previous talks
concerning Korean independence
broke down year ago over the
question of what Korean groups
and parties were to be consulted.
!. In this latest letter, which the
broadcast said was delivered to
Gen. Marshall by the Soviet Am
baSsador in Washington, Mr.. Molo-
tov cited an exchange of corre-
spondence last year between the
American and Russian commanders
in Korea and declared himself
ready to accept" certain amend
ments offered by the American
commander concerning the resump-
ton of the joint discussions.
The principal American proposal
to which Mr.. Molotov said he was
in agreement was that only by
mutual agreement" of the two
powers could any Korean group or
individual be excluded from airing
views on Korea's future.
The Russians previously had re-
fused to hear the views of anti
Communist organizations in the
American zone.
No Reason for Delay Seen.
After saying that he was ready
to accept the American amendments
in order to expedite resumption of
the work of the joint commission
and consequent formation Of a pro-
visional Korean government, Mr..
Molotov declared;
I hope that thus there no longer
exists any reason for delaying the
convening Of the joint commission.
The Molotov-Marshall exchange
on Korea began during the recent
Big Four Foreign Ministers Confer
ence in Moscow.
Gen. Marshall first called on Rus
sia to cooperate with the United
States in restoring independence to
Korea as soon as possible.
Mr.. Molctov responded with q
specific three-point program for the
country: ID Formation of provision
al government including Korean
democratic" parties and organiza-
tions: (2) formation of democratic"
organs OF power through free elec-
tions based on universal and equal
suffrage; and CD aid to Korea in
becoming independent through de-
velopment of the national economy
and culture.
Hopes to Meet May 20.
90 The Soviet Foreign Minister sug-
gested that the joint Russian
American commission, which had
been in adjournment since May 8,
1945, meet on May 20 in Seoul to re-
sumo its work and implement the
program he proposed.
On his. return to Washington.
Gen. Marshall replied with his in
sistence that all Korean political
elements be consulted, declarinc
that TO avoid any future misunder-
standing" the United States wished
to make plain its contention that no
representatives of Korean demo-
cratic parties and social organiza-
tions should be barred from consul
tation by the commission because
OF any previously expressed opinions
concerning their country's future
government.
He asked in that letter for con-
frmation of this understanding
before directing 1t. Gen. John R.
Hodge, the \ American occupation
commander, to make preparations
for reopening the commissions
sessions.