Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 62: Telegram

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

top secret
operational immediate

JCS 96160. Personal for Ridgway from JCS for CINCUNC.

1. We thoroughly approve your determination to insist upon full reciprocity of treatment in connection present talks. You are authorized in your discretion to inform opposing commanders that talks can proceed only on the basis of complete reciprocity of treatment. Such reciprocity could be arranged in any of the following ways:

a.
Kaesong to be completely demilitarized to radius of (say 5 miles) in all directions; road from Munsan to Kaesong be left entirely free to any travel to and from armistice talks authorized by UN Commander; each side to agree that each delegation in Kaesong be limited to (say 50) unarmed personnel and (say 20) armed guards. It should also be clear that you retain right to designate your delegation yourself, including press members thereof, although any entry of press or photographers into meeting itself would be matter for agreement on both sides.
b.
Meetings at some intermediate point between present UN and Communist positions, with reciprocal arrangements as in (a) above.
c.
Alternate meetings with complete reciprocity of treatment in Kaesong and Munsan.

2. If any of above is communicated to opposing commanders, you should release it at once to your own press.