740.00119 Control (Korea)/10–1746: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 17—9:07 p.m.]
Tfurc 64 [to Tokyo]. Reference Tfurc 63. [From Bunce.] The US delegation of the Joint Commission has worked, out the following revision of my suggested basis for reconvening the Joint Commission:
“The delegation of the US agrees to interpret paragraphs 2 and 3 of the declaration in Communiqué number 5 of the US–Soviet Joint Commission, dated April 17, ’46, to mean that such individuals, parties and social organizations shall not foment or instigate mass opposition to the work of the Joint Commission or the fulfillment of the Moscow decision. Those individuals, parties and social organizations which do foment or instigate such opposition shall be excluded from further consultation with the Joint Commission.
The decision excluding such individuals, parties and social organizations shall be by agreement of the Joint Commission. In consideration of this interpretation of the declaration published in Communiqué number 5 of the Joint Commission the Soviet delegation agrees that it will not oppose consultation with any individual, political party or social organization which subscribes to and abides by the declaration published in Joint Communiqué number 5.”
Negotiations are under way for another conference between Balasanov and Bunce, either in North or South Korea. It was felt that agreement should be first reached on an entirely informal basis before any official correspondence takes place.
Mr. Balasanov is at present at Voroshilov and is expected to return tonight or tomorrow. In the light of General Arnold’s statement to the press and the meeting of the Foreign Secretaries scheduled for October 23, we would appreciate receiving your suggestions and comments regarding the wisdom of our negotiations. They could be used by the Russians as a basis for avoiding a discussion of the Korean problem by the foreign secretaries and thus further delay a settlement. [Page 749] Your comments regarding the revised basis for reconvening the Joint Commission would also be appreciated. Hodge and Langdon concur. Reply earliest. [Bunce.]