Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 31: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

secret   priority
Tokyo, 25 October 1951—6:07 p. m.

C–55841. 1. Following report on first plenary session at Pan Mun Jom is submitted in 5 parts.

Part 1. Summary:

a. Convened at 1100. Nam Il opened introducing Gen Pien Chang-Wu, CPV and Maj Gen Chang Tu Hwan, KPA as delegates in lieu of Gen Teng Hua and Maj Gen Chang Pyung San. Admiral Joy presented credentials of Maj Gen Lee Heung Koon, ROKA in place of Maj Gen Paik Sun Yap.

b. Nam Il noted draft agreement prepared by liaison officers to govern the meeting had been ratified. He stated the agreement set forth in principle fairly complete arrangements. However, “to assure observance by both sides” Nam Il proposed the creation of a joint office of the liaison officers of both sides to determine details of security agreements in accord with the overall agreement; to inspect the application of the agreements; to conduct joint investigation of violations; and to settle by consultation administrative matters raised by either delegation. Admiral Joy accepted this proposal.

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c. Admiral Joy referred to the purpose of the meeting and inquired if the other side had any proposal to make on agenda item number 2. Nam Il, after consulting with Chinese, proposed resumption of the sub-delegation meetings which were in progress when the negotiations were interrupted on 22 Aug in order to exchange views and make recommendations to the main delegations. After a short recess Admiral Joy accepted this proposal with the stipulation that either side could unilaterally call a meeting of the main delegations and named General Hodes and Admiral Burke to sub-delegation. Nam Il named Lee and Tsieh Feng and agreed that first sub-delegation meeting be held at 1400 today.

d. Main delegation session adjourned at 1200.

Part 2. Progress: Part 1 above.

Part 3. Attitudes: Formally correct and meticulous.

[Here follows Part 4, a transcript of the proceedings of the meeting.]

Part 5. Conclusions and recommendations: None.