Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 81: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
HNC–112. Personal from Ridgway. This msg in five parts. Subj: Armistice conf in Kaesong, 18 Jul 51.
“Part 1. Summary:
“a. Morning session of 55 minutes taken up by UNC delegation presentation on its views of the revised agenda submitted by Communists yesterday. (HNC 108) With minor changes, UNC accepted all items on the revised agenda except item 3 concerning withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea. UNC made strong statement that this item would not be discussed by UNC nor would UNC agree to placing it on the agenda. Communist requested two hr recess to study UNC proposals.
“b. Afternoon session of two hrs consisted of Communists either stalling for time or attempting to obtain information of UNC positions. They apparently were without instructions and used afternoon session to continue propaganda on the ‘38th parallel’ and ‘withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea’. They were adamant that the latter be on the agenda. They attempted to draw UNC delegation into discussion reference the methods of establishing a demilitarized zone. UNC accepted Communists wording of item 2 which put Communists in position of having to make the next move. Realizing that Communists were not willing at this time to delete their item on withdrawal of foreign troops and were probably stalling for further instructions, UNC delegation suggested at 1525K that meeting recess until 1100K the following day.
“Part 2. Progress: The following agenda items were agreed to by both delegations:
“a. Adoption of agenda.
“b. Fixing a military demarcation line between both sides so as to establish a demilitarized zone as a basic condition for the cessation of hostilities in Korea.
“c. Concrete arrangements for the realization of cease fire and armistice in Korea, including the composition, authority and functions [Page 697] of a supervisory organization for carrying out the terms of cease fire and armistice.
“d. Arrangements relating to prisoners of war.
“The Communists again insisted that their item on withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea must be on the agenda. United Nations Command delegation refused to accept this item.
“Part 3. Attitudes:
“a. There was no apparent change in attitude of any significance. Chinese delegates continue to show intense interest and take voluminous notes. Discussion between Chinese and North Koreans at conf table brief and infrequent. Nothing to date would indicate a cleavage between Chinese and North Koreans.
“b. In making its reservation regarding the non-inclusion of specific mention of an armistice commission and observation teams in item 3, UNC delegation stated it considered commission and observation teams with unrestricted access to all of Korea essential and would insist on discussing later. Nam Il reacted strongly to idea of specific details, apparently being sensitive to ‘inspection’ prospect, by saying he could not accept such substantive details prior to substantive discussion of item 3.
“Part 4. Sequence of events:
“a. UNC delegation opened morning session at 1000K with statement that each item on Communist proposed agenda (HNC 108) would be taken up separately and discussed. Item 1 ref adoption of the agenda, and item 5 ref prisoners of war, were assumed to be agreed upon. UNC accepted the Communist wording of item 4 ref cease fire and arrangements therefor. UNC suggested minor change in wording of item 2 ref the demilitarized zone which was agreed to by Communist delegation. UNC stated that item 3, ref the withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea, would not be discussed by UNC delegation. The concessions made by UNC delegation were summarized and a proposed agenda was submitted by UNC for Communist approval. Communists requested a recess at 1053K until 1300K to study UNC proposals.
“b. Afternoon session previously scheduled for 1300K was delayed at the request of the Communists until 1327K. They opened the session with a statement that they considered great difference in principle between the agenda UNC proposed and the one they proposed. They continued for 30 minutes stressing their intentions for utilizing the 38th parallel as the basis for their negotiation. In addition, they were adamant in regard to the inclusion of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea on the agenda. The remainder of the afternoon was taken up by their questioning of our meaning of the phrase ‘or fixing lines’ which UNC had inserted in their item 2. It appeared that the Communists [Page 698] were trying to get the UNC delegation to disclose its views on how and where the demilitarized zone would be established. UNC delegation stated it would agree to the exact wording the Communists had proposed yesterday for item 2, as long as it was understood that each side would present its views on the establishment of the demilitarized zone in its own way. At 1528K the afternoon session adjourned at the suggestion of the UNC delegation that the conf be resumed the following day at 1100K.
“Part 5. Conclusions. It appears that Communists continue to hope for settlement of an armistice based primarily on:
“a. The 38th parallel, and
“b. Withdrawal of foreign troops from Korea.”