CDKW00257 - Negotiating for Time?

In this memo from Pearson received by External Affairs on 9 January 1951, Pearson discussed his efforts to convince Berendsen, likely New Zealand’s Carl Berendsen, of the merits of pushing for negotiations with Peking. Like Berendsen, Pearson “never had much hope of a cease-fire or a conciliation move with Peking being successful.” However, Pearson hoped diplomatic negotiations could buy time, allowing the UN Forces to consolidate around any steps that may need to be taken directly against the Communist Chinese. This memo illuminates much of Pearson’s personal viewpoints on the conflict, yet also demonstrates that early diplomatic overtures were as much to draw out time to negotiate within the countries participating in the UN Force as they were tentative steps towards armistice talks with Peking.