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UNCLASSIFIED | Encl. No. —

(Classification) Desp. No._567
From_ _ Stockholm _

situation ie characterized by distrust and mtuel sccusations. ey
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"Otherwise, cooperation between the neutral delegations -~ insofar
as there is something to cooperate about -- proceeds without friction,
and there exist no personal differences.

"Our role in Korea is symbolic. Both varties want us to remain, for
we are, after all, & brideehead between North and South. In some future,
when the international climate has imvroved, the NNSC might come to be
of real importance."

Commodore Lind af Hageby also svoke about the political relations between
North Korea and South Korea, noting, that they remain at a deadlock; many people,
he said, had believed that the relations would be somewhat: improved following the
fatt of Syngman Rhee, but thie has not been the case thus far: "All that has
happened is that the new Government of the Republic of Korea has taken exception
to Syngman Rhee's talk about ‘marching North’; the new men now only talk about a
peaceful reunification of the two countries."

 

The Commodore had occasion once to visit Pjongjang, the capital of North
Korea, and was impressed by the reconstruction work there:

“North Korea is about to be developed into 4 Commnist show window
to the West, and it is even prepared to establish canmercial and cultural
contacts with South Korea, but Seoul says No to these feelers."

The interview concluded with a reference to the pleasant climate in Panmunjom,
where the NNSC personnel lead @ comfortable life. The Commodore stated that, in
the absence of the Swedish Ambassador who is stationed in Tokyo, the Chief of the
Swedish delegation sometimes has to function as the official Swedish representa-

tive in Seoul.

FOR THE AMBASSADOR:

*

Ge Mrs Stanford

Second Secretary of Embassy

Department: Please send copies to SEOUL, BERN, WARSAW AND PRAGUE.
USUN New York.

[UNcLasSIFIED |