Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 66: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command ( Ridgway ) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
HNC–077. CINCFE personal for Hickey.
1. Further to my message HNC–064.1 No message received from Nam Il during night 12–13 July in reply to our request for press representation. At 0910K, 12 July, I received this message from their Liaison Officer: “Would like to send a delegate to Pan Mum Jom with an answer to the letter from the United Nations senior delegate issued yesterday. I wish that your Liaison Officer will come to Pan Mun Jom and receive it at 0930, Pyongyang time, this morning. Sgd., Chang Chan San (Communist Liaison Officer).”
2. Our reply at 0915K, 13 July was: “Our liaison officer will come to Pan Mun Jom to receive your answer at the time indicated (0930 Pyongyang time) this morning.”
3 a. My Liaison Officer arrived Pan Mun Jom 1025K, 13 July. En Liaison Officers were delayed due to asserted vehicle breakdown. However they arrived at 1055K and delivered from Nam Il a message in substance as follows: “We did not stop your convoy, only the newsmen. Your failure to come to conference on 12th is unreasonable. Only after delegates have met and agreed on the matter can newsmen be admitted to site of conference. We suggest a meeting at 0900, 13 July”.
b. When the North Korean officer finished reading the above, the Chinese representative withdrew from his pocket a paper, written in [Page 674] Chinese characters. As the Chinese unfolded the paper, the North Korean reached for it. The Chinese said: “I will handle this” and pushed aside the North Korean’s arm. The manner of the Chinese was that of a superior to an inferior who had interrupted at a time when interruption was not desired. The Chinese then read his paper in English, and returned it to his pocket. The paper read by the Chinese was in substance, as follows: “Both sides must agree in respect to the delegations, including newsmen. We are prepared to discuss the matter of newsmen with your delegates on the basis of that principle. We suggest a meeting at 1300, 13 July since 0900 is now past.”
c. When Col Kinney turned to depart, the Chinese representative (but not the North Korean) called to him to ask if there was any reply at that time.
d. From the above incidents, it is Colonel Kinney’s impression that the Chinese was more anxious for resumption of the conference than was the North Korean.
4. Admiral Joy is replying as follows: “To General Nam Il: I have received your message of this date. The Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command will communicate directly with General Kim Il Sung and General Peng Teh Huai. The United Nations command delegation desires to continue the recess until further notice”.
- Not printed. This telegram, dated July 12, transmitted the text of a press release issued by General Ridgway concerning the inability of the United Nations side to secure agreement from the Communist delegation on admission of newsmen with the United Nations Command to the vicinity of the conference at Kaesong (Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 60).↩