Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 35: Telegram

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

secret   priority
Tokyo, 14 August 1951—7:41 p. m.

C–68927. “This message in 5 parts. Subject: Armistice Conference at Kaesong 14 August 51.

Part 1. Summary: Nam Il read long statement denouncing United Nations Command proposed demilitarized zone and United Nations Command attitude, charging United Nations Command delayed progress toward Armistice. Joy countered with charge that record proved Commies were delaying progress, pointed out political nature of Commie objectives in negotiations, reasserted United Nations Command argument that we require defensible positions as result of withdrawal of air and naval efforts, requested enemy to propose adjustments to United Nations Command zone. Nam Il reacted only with more of virtues of 38 parallel. Meetings continued tomorrow.

Part 2. Progress: None.

Part 3. Attitude: No change.

[Here follows Part 4, an abridged transcript of the proceedings of the 24th session.]

“Part 5. Conclusions: The UNC delegation believes that there is no evidence that enemy intends to drop his insistence on 38th parallel as line of demarcation”. I concur.