Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Korea, Volume VII

357.AD/12–1550: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations

top secret
priority

Washington, December 15, 1950—noon.

590. There fols generalized statement of conditions of cease-fire for use in first instance in consultation with Entezam comite. Gen US attitude towards comite’s work shld be to make every effort to speed up process so as to avoid further waste of human life in Korea.

“The US Govt, as the UC of UN forces in Korea, and the Govt which has contributed the large majority of the forces engaged on behalf of the UN in Korea, is of the opinion that the fol are indispensable elements in a cease-fire which the UN can accept:

(1) All govts and authorities concerned, including those of NIC and Commie China, shall order and enforce a cessation of all acts of armed force. This cease-fire shall apply to all of Korea.

(2) There shall be established a demilitarized area across all of Korea of approx 20 miles in width with the southern limit following generally the line of the 38th parallel.

(3) All ground forces shall remain in position or be withdrawn to the rear; forces, including guerrillas, within or in advance of the demilitarized area must be moved to the rear of the demilitarized area; opposing air forces shall respect the demilitarized zone and the areas beyond the zone; opposing Naval forces shall respect the waters contiguous to the land areas occupied by the opposing armed; forces to the limit of 3 miles from shore.

(4) All govts and authorities shall cease promptly the introduction into Korea of any reinforcing or replacement units or personnel, including volunteers, and the introduction of additional war equipment and materiel.

(5) Prisoners of war shall be exchanged on a one-for-one basis, pending final settlement of the Kor question.

(6) Appropriate provision shall be made in the cease-fire arrangements in regard to steps to insure the security of the forces, civil govt and police power in the demilitarized zone, the movement of refugees, and the handling of other specific problems arising out of the cease-fire.

(7) Supervision of the cease-fire shall be by a UN commission whose members, and its designated observers, shall have free and unlimited access to the whole of Korea and shall insure full compliance with the terms of the cease-fire. All govts and authorities shall cooperate with the cease-fire commission in the performance of its duties.

(8) The cease-fire shall be confirmed by appropriate action of the UN and shall continue in effect until superseded by further steps approved by the UN.”

Acheson