Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 73: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
HNC–104. This msg in 5 parts. Subj: Armistice conf at Kaesong, 16 Jul 1951.
Part 1. Summary: Morning session of 50 minutes entirely taken up by United Nations Command delegation laying the foundation for presentation of a revised agenda to the Communist delegation. Immediately upon the receipt of United Nations Command revised agenda, Communists requested a 2 hour recess. Afternoon session of 45 minutes consisted of discussion of revised United Nations Command agenda by Communist delegation. Concessions were made by them when they agreed to eliminate the 38 Parallel specifically from the agenda.
[Page 689]They offered a revised version to our item 2 (see part 2). They remained adamant on the issue of “withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea” and insisted it is a necessary agenda item which must be discussed in any cease fire talks. United Nations Command delegation made brief rebuttal and suggested a recess until tomorrow so each delegation could study proposals submitted. Communists quickly agreed. Next meeting scheduled for 1100K, 17 July.
Part 2. Progress made: The following revised agenda was proposed by the United Nations delegation:
Item 1. Adoption of agenda.
Item 2. Establishment of a demilitarized zone as a basic condition for the cessation of hostilities in Korea.
Item 3. Concrete arrangements for a cease fire and armistice in Korea which will insure against a resumption of hostilities and acts of armed force in Korea pending a final peace settlement.
a. Military Armistice Commission, including composition, authority and functions.
b. Military observer teams, including composition, authority and functions.
Item 4. Arrangements relating to prisoners of war. Nam Il, speaking for the Communist delegation, indicated in a number of instances throughout the meeting that their delegation was interested in arriving at some agreement on the content of an agenda. Indications of this interest were noted in certain favorable comments made on the United Nations new proposed agenda and in the several concessions made by the Communist delegation in order to more closely align their proposals with our new agenda.
Part 3. Attitudes.
Generally speaking, the Communist delegates indicated more of a spirit of cooperation than thus far exhibited.
The Chinese were particularly interested in Admiral Joy’s discussion of UNC proposed agenda; the Communist proposal for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea; and what must be done to prevent a resumption of war. When each session recessed, Teng Hua smiled and nodded to UNC delegate opposite him when they arose to depart.
Lee Sang Cho was silent but very observing (General Paik said that Lee Sang Cho wrote on a pad, “armistice called by Mister Malik and cease fire at 38 Parallel”.
The Communist delegation seemed pleased that the meeting recessed early.
Part 4.
a. United Nations Command delegation opened morning session at 1000K, 16 Jul with continuation of remarks of day before. Emphasis [Page 690] was placed on the purpose of an agenda and reasons why it must be of general nature. We stressed that these meetings were for sole purpose of discussing an armistice and not a final peace settlement. We defined armistice as “an armistice is not a partial or temporary peace; it is only the suspension of military operations to the extent and under conditions agreed upon by the parties concerned”. We again criticized the 38 Parallel as an agenda item and offered a more general item (item 3 in part 2) which covers the views of both sides. We presented a revised agenda (part 2). Communist delegation requested a 2 hour recess to study our agenda.
b. Communist delegation opened the afternoon session at 1300K with their preliminary review of our revised agenda. They stated they could not give up the principle of the 38 Parallel being the military demarcation line and the basis for discussion of the cease fire in Korea, however, in order to reach agreement on the agenda, they were willing to word the agenda item in more general terms. They suggested “establishment of a military demarcation line between both sides to establish a demilitarized zone as the basic condition for a cease fire in Korea”. Following this concession, they insisted that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea was the next item which should be on the agenda. They argued that, even though UNC delegation refused to discuss withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea the fact remained that this is closely related to the cease fire talks and must be discussed. The withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea in their estimation is the guarantee against resumption of hostilities in Korea, and therefore is an important item for the agenda and must be discussed. Concerning UNC item 3 (see part 2) on revised agenda, they considered it more acceptable than that of previous agenda, but felt that “A” and “B” sub-item were not particularly necessary. Nam Il said that his were preliminary opinions and that he would study our agenda more and give an opinion at a later meeting.
c. UNC delegation restated its position on the discussion of withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea. The reason for the armistice commission and observer teams were further explained. UNC delegations suggested a recess until 1000K, 17 Jul in order for each side to study the proposals presented today. Communists quickly agreed and suggested the time of meeting be 1100K. UNC concurred.
Part 5. Conclusions: We concluded that:
a. Communists are willing to cooperate to some extent towards reaching an agreed agenda. They appear anxious to get down to the substantial matters of a cease fire.
b. The withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea is a main consideration of the Communists in cease fire talks and they will probably remain adamant that this matter be included on an agenda.