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

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 99: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

secret
flash

Tokyo, 22 July 1951—12:41 p. m.

C–67483. This msg in 4 parts. Subj: Armistice Conference at Kaesong 21 Jul 51.

Part 1. Summary:

Conference opened by Communists rqsting United Nations Comd views on the question of withdrawal of fgn trps fm Korea and agenda item. United Nations Comd delegation stated its previous psn that agenda of 4 items United Nations Comd delegation proposed were all that were nec for discussion of a mil armistice. At this pnt, Nam Il consulted with Chinese delegates concerning their next move. Apparently they had two courses of action prepared. Nam Il then read a prepared statement rpting same views on the withdrawal of fgn trps previously given. After only one reply by the United National Comd which stood firm on it’s previous psn, Nam Il, recommended a recess until 1100K, 25 Jul for the purpose of each side seriously considering the proposals of the other side. After half hour recess, UN Comd delegation acceded to their rqst stating that communications should be kept open and that UN Comd would be prepared to continue negotiations sooner if the Communists so desired. Communists agreed to keep communications open.

Part 2. Progress:

No significant progress made in arriving at an agenda, however, atmosphere more favorable to break apparent stalemate of the previous meeting.

Part 3. Attitudes:

Nam Il read his initial speech with less forcefullness than normal. It was apparent that they recognized the fact that the UN Comd delegation would not change its stand unless directed to by higher authority. Nam Il in his speech stated that certain actions of a political nature would have to be passed on to future conferences for settlement. However, these matters must be on the agenda for the Armistice Conference at which resolutions would be made to pass these matters on to another conference for discussion. The Chinese delegates took great interest in a statement made by Admiral Joy that the withdrawal of trps must be discussed at governmental level and that action might be taken unilaterally by the govts concerned. The Chinese rqstd a repeat on the phrase which contained “Unilaterally”.

Part 4 Sequence of Events:

UN Comd opened conference at 1000K stating its regrets concerning the inability to arrive at Kaesong on 20 Jul due to weather. Communists asked for United Nations Comd opinion on their item three, withdrawal of fgn trps fm Korea. United Nations Comd responded with the statement that the arguments put forth by the Communists had not changed the United Nations Comd opinion concerning this matter. UN Comd held firm that the 4 item agenda contained all that is nec for the discussion of a mil armistice. Nam Il, after discussion with the Chinese delegates, selected a prepared statement consisting of the arguments which had been presented in previous meetings. This speech touched on the doubt of UN Comd good faith, the need for guaranteeing the armistice, the principal of the 38th Parallel, and a statement that although certain political actions must be passed to future conferences, this should be done so by a resolution of this conference and therefore must be on the agenda to be discussed. UN Comd rqstd a repeat of the statement concerning political matters. After the statement was repeated, United Nations Comd made a short statement concerning the difference between an armistice and a peace settlement. United Nations Comd again recommended that the Communists reconsider their stand. Nam Il, after again consulting with the Chinese delegates, recommended a recess until 1100K, 25 Jul for each side to reconsider the views presented by the other side. United Nations Comd rqstd a half hour recess to consider this matter. After recess, United Nations Comd delegation stated the delay was regretted but were willing to accede to the views of the Communist delegation concerning the recess until 25 Jul. UN Comd suggested that communications be kept open so that negotiations can be continued sooner if the Communists so desired. Communists countered with the statement that they didn’t like the delay either but they felt that this was such an important question which must be decided now, that the time spent would be well worthwhile. The conference adjourned at 1137K with the agreement that the next scheduled meeting would be at 1100K, 25 Jul 51. Complete transcript of today’s proceedings will follow in subsequent message.¹

1. The transcript was sent in telegram C–67482, not printed, after which General Ridgway made the following observation in his telegram C–67485, dated July 22:

   “Mymsg C 67482, subj: Transcript of 21 Jul 51 armistice proceedings, attention is invited to that portion of the North Korean statement made at 1002K which reads: ‘On such questions, we should naturally adopt resolutions referring them to another suitable conference or organization for settlement’. This may prove to be the key to the position the enemy delegation will take at the next conference.” (Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 100)