Evening star., 1950-07-12
Acheson Keeps Silent
On Ang|o-Soyiet Talks
Seeking Korea Peace
By John N. Hightpwer
Associated Press Stoff Writer

Secretary of State Acheson to.
day refused to speculate on pos
sible results of British efforts te
persuade Russia to help end the
fighting in Korea.
American officials areSknown to
be following the British Russian
talks with caution and interest.
Mr.. Acheson's refusal to discuss
the matter at his news conference
today emphasized the delicasy OF
the negotiations.
! He abandoned delicate diplo-
matte language, however, in
branding as "a propaganda trick
i in the spurious peace offensive
Of the Soviet Union" peace
appeal" resolution being circu-
lated over the world by Com
munists.
T. Signed by Koreans.
He told his news conference
that more than half the popula-
tion Of North Korea was reported
to have signed the petition before
North Korean armed forces in
vaded South Korea. and declared
that "this illustrates better than
anything else the basic hypocrisy
of the Communist peace appeal
Britain is keeping this Govern
ment fully informed of discus
sions its Ambassador is conducting
in Moscow about the Korean
fighting, but officials say no one
knows what the result may be-!
No Deal Involved.
1t was emphasized, here that
no deal" is involved. Some re-
ports have speculated that ! it
might have been proposed to Rus
sia to call off the North Korean
Communist invaders of South Ko-
rea in return for admission of
Communist China into the United
Nations.
British Ambassador Sir David
Kelly in Moscow made the first
approach on June 20, asking Rus
sian cooperation in effecting
peaceful settlement of the Korean
conflict. He has had two talks
with Soviet Deputy Foreign Min
lister Andrei Gromyko since then,
the last one yesterday. No de-
tails of the talks have been dis
closed.
Next Move Up to Russia.
The next move in the diplomatic |
exchange appeared to be up to
Russia.
It was assumed here that Sir
David, responding to an earlier
opening left by Mr.. Gromyko, had
given some indication. if not a
concrete proposal, of the kind of
action the West would like Russia
TO take to help bring the Korean
crisis to a close.
Diplomatic informants said war
ily that it was too early to tell /
whether the Soviets are really
maneuvering to help end the con-
diet or whether they are simply
encouraging a hope that they will
do so, while the actual fighting |
continues to go in favor of the
North Korean Communists.
Basic Points Outlined.
The British and American gov
ernments. however, are known to
have been in close touch on the
developments and presumably
agree on further steps to be taken.
These points are understood to be
basic in their position:
l.. On the chance that a settle
ment of the Korean question can
be approached through direct con-
tact with Moscow, they will make
every effort to explore the posi-
bilities through the current talks. |
2. The urgent need is to stop
the fighting and get North Korean
Communist troops to withdraw
north of the 38th parallel, across
which they launched their attack
two weeks ago.
3. If and when a settlement be-
comes possible the proper forum
for working it out is the United
Nations Security Council.