What did the declassified documents reveal?

Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified C.I.A. record detailing notes dictated by Averell Harriman concerning his conversations with General Douglas MacArthur on August twentieth, nineteen-fifty. This record provides insight into high-level discussions regarding the Korean War and U.S. policy toward China. You can find this document on archive.org, cited as U.S. Intelligence on China C.I. zero zero four five nine. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and made publicly available by sources including The Black Vault. Its declassification occurred as part of a broader effort to release historical C.I.A. records related to U.S. intelligence on China. The record is dated August twentieth, nineteen-fifty. The document, titled "Notes Dictated by Mr. Harriman on August twentieth, nineteen-fifty Concerning His Conversations with General MacArthur," states: "The reaction among the Japanese to our action in Korea was one of relief, as they interpreted it to mean that we would vigorously defend them against Russian invasion. They were not disturbed by our temporary difficulties, since they understood the military difficulties caused by the surprise attack. Their pride had been aroused by 'his' confidence in them, shown by the withdrawal of most of the American troops. He could withdraw them all without danger of disorder in Japan. I had a two-and-a-half hour talk with MacArthur in the morning; lunch with him and Mrs. MacArthur for the entire party, and then a further two-hour talk from five-thirty to seven-thirty in the afternoon. On Tuesday morning, after my return from Korea, we had a further four-hour talk before my departure. The first two-and-a-half hours included a military discussion at which Generals Ridgway and Norstad participated. General Almond also was present. I will not attempt to divide the conversations chronologically, but largely by subjects. Military (Korea). Our first talk on Sunday morning covered the military situation as he saw it. I explained to him that the President had asked me to tell him that he wanted to know what MacArthur wanted, and was prepared to support him as fully as possible. I asked MacArthur whether he had any doubts about the wisdom of the Korean decision. He replied, 'absolutely none'. The President's statement was magnificent. It was an historic decision which would save the world from Communist domination, and would be so recorded in history. The commitment of our ground forces was essential, and victory must be attained rapidly. MacArthur described his firm conviction that the North Korean forces must be destroyed as early as possible and could not wait for a slow build-up. He emphasized the political and military dangers of such a course; the discouragement that would come among the United Nations including the U.S.; the effect on Oriental peoples as well as on the Chinese Communists and the Russians. He feared that Russia and the Chinese Communists would be able to greatly…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Case File · ARCHIVE-002Declassified

Filed NOV 4 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA Today, We Examine A Declassified CIA

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 4, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

Declassified. A. record detailing notes dictated by Averell Harriman concerning his conversations with General Douglas MacArthur on August twentieth, nineteen-fifty. S. policy toward China. S. I. zero zero four five nine. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and made publicly available by sources including The Black Vault.

Date: NOV 4 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Declassified. Today, we examine a declassified C.I.A. record detailing notes dictated by Averell Harriman concerning his conversations with General Douglas MacArthur on August twentieth, nineteen-fifty. This record provides insight into high-level discussions regarding the Korean War and U.S…

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What was CIA Today, We Examine A Declassified CIA about?: Declassified. A. record detailing notes dictated by Averell Harriman concerning his conversations with General Douglas MacArthur on August twentieth, nineteen-fifty. S. policy toward China. S. I. zero zero four five nine. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act and made publicly available by sources including The Black Vault.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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