Mike: The Memoirs of the Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson, Volume 2, 1948-1957, by John A. Munro and Alex I. Inglis

Chief Administrator or Political ‘Moderator’? Dumbarton Oaks, the Secretary-General and the Korean War

“…and taken a good deal of bruising' while the US delegation had not taken 'any of the complementary actions'. 61 The Secretary-General, while unperturbed by the criticism he received, was, however, deeply disappointed with the few positive replies sent and the token offers made. All the same, Lie suggested making use of volunteers -especially from smaller countries that could not spare their own forces -and forming international brigades under US command.…”

“…74 Nevertheless, Lie kept the Cease-fire Committee fully informed of his 'tough' and 'depressing' discussions with Wu as is demonstrated by Pearson's diary. 75 The Chinese offensive in Korea, meanwhile, had halted at the 38th parallel indicating Beijing had achieved its objectives. Lie thus interpreted these developments as a direct challenge to him to act as a mediator.…”

“…he seemed to me to rather relish the prospect of now being begged to stay on'. 91 Yet Jebb understood that this 'position was both irregular and rather unsatisfactory' and since 'a Scandinavian had, in principle, a better chance than most of being acceptable to all, we might think of Dag Hammarskjold . .…”