CDKW00518 - American Might

In this note from the US State Department dated 18 June 1952, the circumstances that led to the Canadian position at Koje are explained, as well as an indication that it could happen again. According to the note, everyone asked about Canadian troop deployments was British, not Canadian, due to the structure of the Commonwealth Forces. The State Department also indicated that the Canadians should have anticipated that providing troops for combined operations would mean that Ottawa could not reasonably be consulted on all decisions. In particular, the United States believed that the Canadians should not expect “special conditions” to apply to its troops, as this could allow every power to make its own rules and expectations around joint conflict. The concluding sentiment, however, is that the Americans would like to cater to Canadian traditional interests insofar as it does not damage the UN Forces in Korea. Despite the other sections of the note, the Canadians appeared to take this conclusion favourably, as they were eager to avoid similar disputes with the Americans.