Evening star., 1951-10-19
A Strange Business

AnS comment OF american olnclalS suggests
that they are disappointed by the harsh tone Of
MIR. Vishinsky's reply to the overtures made by
this Government in behalf of Korean armistice.
1t Is true certainly, that there is precious little
in the Soviet Foreign Minister'S answer to Am
bassador Kirk that would justify any optimism.
But what is puzzling is why our officials should
have expected anything different.
Ambassador Kirk presented his detailed and
formal statement to Mr.. Vishinsky on October 8.
Judging from the text now released by the State
Department, the document was prepared with
much care. But according to MIR. Vishinsky.
after Mr.. Kirk had finished reading the docu-
ment to him he refused to supply the Soviet Of
ficial with text. Mr. Kirk, again according to
MIR. VishinSky, said that "in accordance with his
instructions he must make this statement only
in oral form and not leave the text" What was
the point Of that? The Kirk statement was rather
long and involved It was only natural, assum-
ing that the Russians might have been interested
in the proposals, that they would want to study
them carefully. Why, then, was MIR. Kirk re-
stricted to an oral presentation leaving 1t to Mr..
Vishinsky either to have the statement recorded
surreptitiously or rely on his memory in taking
the matter up with Marshal Stain, as Mr.. Kirk
requested?
There Is also ground to wonder, If there was
favorably why Mr.. Kirk, under instructions re-
marked that the invasion of South Korea was
"an act of naked aggression-a fact understood
throughout the world" That may be q fact, but
it is not acknowledged as fact by the Soviet
government. What was the point of including
it in an oral confidential" statement to Mr.. vi
shinsky-a copy of which he knew would be on
file In the State Department? ...
The State Department must have had some
reason for making this unannounced approach
to the Russians. Perhaps, 1t was felt that the
war in Korea had reached stage where the
Russians, despairing Of victory for their stooges,
might consider it to be In their own interests to
have an armistice. II that was the case, how
ever, it is hard to understand why more con-
ciliatory approach was not taken, and 1t Is even
harder to understand why any one should be
surprised or disappointed by MIR. Vishinsky's re-
action.
He has run true to form. His published an
swer took the form of a propaganda blast against
the United States, with only the smallest Of
cracks left in the door to further negotiations.
Mr.. Vishinsky also took occasion to point out,
rather effectively, that President Truman had
said that Russian agreement is not worth the
paper 1t is written on In view of that, he asked
in effect, why take seriously any United States
suggestion that Soyiet-American relations can
be improved through negotiations?
Why, indeed? Mr.. Truman yesterday re-
peated his belief that an agreement with the
Soviet would be worthless. If that really is our
official belief, and there certainly Is strong basis
for such belief, 1t is hard to understand why
Mr. Kirk was sent on his secret mission to see
Mr.. Vishinsky. In the hope of securing an agree
ment that we would regard as worthless? II
that is the case, the ways of diplomacy are
strange indeed.