Ul l LASSI This document consists of Page pm SECRET o of 7 Copies Series A O ce Memorandum - STATES GOVERNMENT a Si DATE MAY 161958 3373 T0 FE - hr Robertson NA - Hr Parsons k 4 SUBJECT British Request for MOW Regarding Atomic-Capable Weapons in Korea a c '74 Mr de la Mare of the British Embassy asked me for certain informa- tion regarding atomic-capable weapons in Korea specifically whether atomic warheads are stored in Korea and whether atomic-capable weapons have been given to the Koreans in order to assist the Foreign Office in replying to press inquiries and also for use if necessary in the House of Commons I explained our policy to Mr de la Mare orally regarding atomic warheads neither to deny nor to confirm their presence in any other country and at the same time provided him with some other clarifications on this fub3ect which he requested qvumuso sax azuunmax as Luannooa SI Although I pointe out to Mr de la Mare that we would prefer not to receive a written uest for the above information and that if asked our reply wou be along the lines of my oral comments Mr de la Mare wrote to me on ch 11 1958 asking these same questions Tab B With your approval I pr0pose to hand Mr de la Mars the attached 0 memorandum in reply to his letter Tab A The memorandum restates our policy with respect to information on the presence of atomic war- heads in other countries and notes in response to Mr de la Marc's query that it cannot be categorically stated that atomic-capable weapons have not been given to the Koreans The memorandum also confirms a statement by General Decker that whatever units are available to support U S forces would also support ROK and other UNC forces 0 Recommendation That you approve my handing Mr de la Mare the attached memorandum and that you clear the memorandum Approved 0 a c Pat R r Attachments 1 Ea Tab - From Mr de la Hare C5 March 11 1958 - by 0 Cat i we FEzNA GtBarbis Jhd 5 13 53 In Hr Pam 50 nrasr Ck This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu