795.00/2–1051
Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Northeast
Asian Affairs (Johnson)
top secret
[Washington,] February 10, 1951.
Tentative Plan for Obtaining Cease-Fire
1. General MacArthur issues attached statement.
2. The U.S. should make no direct approach to Peking but on its issuance
should simultaneously report the action to the UN so that other
governments in a position to do so can bring maximum pressure on Peking
to permit North Korea to accept.
3. The statement should be given the maximum circulation throughout North
Korea—consideration might be given to a spectacular leaflet drop by
formations of combat planes.
4. The interval between the issuance of the statement and date set for
first meeting of these emissaries should be approximately a week to
permit ample time for consultation by North Korea, Peking and
Moscow.
5. If accepted, first meeting would arrange a temporary truce of
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not over five or six days
during which conditions for a permanent cease-fire could be
discussed.
6. Representatives of UNCURK should be
invited to observe negotiations for permanent cease-fire, but
negotiations should be kept at military commander level.
7. Negotiations for permanent cease-fire should be based upon the
principles contained in the Jan. 3, 1951 report of the Cease-Fire
Committee of the U.N.
8. If there is any disposition to accept a cease-fire the question of
supervision is likely to be the most difficult. A decision should be
reached as to whether an unsupervised cease-fire with a supervised
demilitarized zone could be accepted as the minimum U.S. position.
9. Prior preparations should be made for maximum psychological warfare
exploitation in event truce is not accepted.
[Annex]
secret
Draft Message for Issuance by General MacArthur
Prior to Crossing of 38th Parallel
by UN Forces
To the civil authorities, armed forces and people of North Korea:
The ever increasing forces of the United Nations continue to
demonstrate their ability to repel the attacks against the Republic
of Korea.
The armed might of the United Nations is continuing its irresistable
advance resolute in its determination to fulfill the mission of
restoring peace and security in Korea.
As always, the United Nations command stands ready to discuss
honorable methods for the termination of hostilities so that the
United Nations purpose of assisting the Korean people in
establishing a unified, independent and democratic country may be
accomplished by peaceful means.
The fulfillment of this mission and the accomplishment of this
purpose will enable the Korean people to realize their rightful
ambitions.
The intervention of your Chinese neighbors has only resulted in a
senseless prolongation of hostilities and untold misery and loss of
life for all Koreans. On the other hand the great resources of the
United Nations are available to assist the people of Korea in
repairing the ravages of war.
Only you can determined whether peace can be restored and the ravages
of war repaired.
As an earnest of our intent, all UN forces will cease military
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activity from dawn to
sunset February —, or any earlier date you suggest, subject to the
same action on your part, and will be prepared to despatch
emissaries to a point ————, to conclude a truce during which
discussions of the conditions under which hostilities might be
terminated could be held.
