Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 69: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command ( Ridgway ) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
HNC–097. CINCFE personal for Hickey. This message in 5 parts.
Part 1. The following message was received here via radio telephone from The North Korean station at Kaesong at 0015K, 15 July:
“From our Liaison Officer. To your Liaison Officer.
“We will deliver to you the official copy of the message of General Kim Il Sung and General Peng Teh Huai to General Ridgway at Pan Mum Jom at 6 o’clock in the morning, Pyongyang time tomorrow. [Page 683] Please come to Pan Mum Jom to receive it. Signed Chang Chung San, Liaison Officer, Korean Peoples Army.”
Part 2. a. My Liaison Officer, at 0640K, received this message at Pan Mum Jom, written in Korean and Chinese. English translation of the North Korean version is:
“To General Ridgway.
“We have received your letter of 13 July.
“In order to carry out the peace conference smoothly we agreed to the proposals that the misunderstandings and arguments on some minor details will be eliminated, that the Kaesong area will be a neutral zone during the conference period, and that hostilities of both groups will be suspended, and that the roads to the conference site which are used by both delegates, and the area of the conference site will be cleared of all armed personnel.
“However, we propose that the limits of the conference area, and other concrete problems in connection with this should be left to and settled by a meeting of the delegates of both sides.
“The current problem of newspapermen which was the reason for this recess has no connection with the problem of establishment of a neutral zone. In regard to the question of a neutral zone aside from the raising of the question once by your Liaison Officers at the meeting of 8 July your delegates never raised this question.
“The mission of the Liaison Officers was to discuss minor details, but not problems such as the establishment of a neutral zone.
“The problem of the newspaper reporters which was the reason for this recess is a minor one. This is not a sufficient reason to cause a recess and even more, it is not a sufficient reason to bring about a break in the conference.
“At the time when your delegation raised this question at the conference table, our delegates were of the opinion that as there were yet no results in the meeting, and even more, the agenda had not even been determined, [they] did not feel that it was appropriate for newspapermen of various countries to come to Kaesong. It was for this reason that agreement could not be obtained. We maintain the principal that all matters will be carried out with the agreement of both sides. We believe that such a principle is the most impartial, and leaves no room for argument or opposition.
“Inasmuch as we have not reached agreement on the question of newspapermen, it should not be put into effect forcefully by your side alone.
“In order to avoid a long recess for a breakup of this conference because of such a small question we agree to your proposal. Namely: We agree to 20 news representatives of your side being part of the working personnel of your delegation.
[Page 684]“We have already issued the order that our delegates shall provide convenience for your delegates. Signed Kim Il Sung, CINC Korean Peoples Army; Peng Teh Huai, Commander of the Chinese Peoples Volunteers Army.”
b. English translation of Chinese version is:
[Here follows the English translation of the Chinese text which did not differ substantively from the version printed in paragraph a. The text of the message as broadcast in English over the Peking radio is printed in the Department of State Bulletin, July 23, 1951, pages 153–154.]
Part 3. This message was delivered by my Liaison Officer at 1020K 15 July to the Communist Liaison Officer at Kaesong:
“To: General Nam Il, Senior Delegate. I propose a meeting of delegations under the conditions now agreed between your commanders and mine, at 1400, July 15, Seoul time. If you agree, request immediate reply. Signed Vice Admiral Joy, Senior Delegate”.
Part 4. At 1055, the following reply was delivered to my Liaison Officer, Lt Col Lee, ROK Army: “This is official message from General Nam Il to Admiral Joy.
“General Nam Il welcomes the United Nations delegates proposal to have a meeting at 1 o’clock Pyongyang time.”
Part 5. All of the above messages have been released to the press.