Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 1

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 68: Telegram

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

confidential
flash

Korea, 15 July 1951—12:35 p. m.

HNC–096. In order to provide the opposing delegates with an opportunity to avoid unacceptable loss of face and to provide them with a “golden bridge” by which they may gracefully recede from their apparent inflexible insistence on including in the agenda an item providing for “withdrawal of all foreign troops from Korea”, I am considering authorizing Admiral Joy to make a statement at an appropriate time of his choosing. This proposed statement follows:

“We cannot consent to inclusion on the agenda of any topic intended to open discussion of ‘withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea.’

“The simple reason for our position is that decision to withdraw United Nations forces from Korea can only be taken by those governments whose decisions placed them there.

“The question therefore is purely political and one to be decided on governmental levels.

“We can state, however, that this question is of high importance to some, if not all, of the governments represented in the United Nations Command. We feel sure that it is already receiving their earnest attention. We would even state that, subject to prior approval by our proper authority, we would be willing to act solely in the capacity of a transmitting agency in the event you should desire to pass certain communications on this subject to the governments we represent. With respect to this last point, I wish to repeat and emphasize 2 points: First, we would have to refer this matter to proper authority and receive prior approval. Second, in the event you wish to follow this procedure we could serve only as a mechanical means of transmission of your communications through our military channels to our proper authorities, and without any comment whatever by the United Nations Command delegation.”

Would be grateful for your comments soonest.¹

1. This message was sent for information to Rear Adm. Robert L. Dennison, Naval Aide to President Truman. Admiral Dennison on the afternoon of July 15 informed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Bradley, that President Truman wished to have the comments of the Secretaries of State and Defense in addition to those of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before any reply was sent to General Ridgway. (Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 71)

   On July 16, General Ridgway sent the following additional message to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in his telegram HNC–103 from Korea:

   “Mymsg HNC 096 of 15 Jul, to which no reply has been recd up to this moment. With respect to current Communist insistence on inclusion in the agenda of the item ‘withdrawal of all foreign troops from Korea,’ I have directed Admiral Joy that at any time this point is raised in the future, he will inform the Communist delegation that the United Nations Command delegation will not consent to the inclusion of this item on the agenda for reasons it has already repeatedly stated. Neither will the United Nations Command delegation discuss this matter further.

   “It is possible that the conference may deadlock on this issue. If so, I am prepared to recess the conference, pending Communist agreement with our view, or contrary instructions from you.” (Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 72)