Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 41: Telegram

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

secret   priority
Tokyo, 16 August 1951—7:11 p. m.

C–69026. “This message in 5 parts. Subject: Armistice Conference at Kaesong 16 August 51.

Part 1. Summary: Joy asked for answer to United Nations Command Delegations proposal of subdelegation to seek solution to Item 2. Nam Il, after criticizing United Nations Command Delegation for refusing to discuss 38th Parallel, agreed to subdelegation arrangement. Subdelegation to be composed of 2 delegates, 1 Staff Officer, and 1 interpreter from each side. There is to be no formality and no recorders. [Page 829] Subdelegation is charged to find ways and means of breaking deadlock. Nam Il proposed main delegations recess during period subdelegation was meeting, to resume meeting on recommendation of subdelegation, or on mutual agreement of senior delegates. General Hodes nominated for United Nations Command with addition of other delegate reserved by Joy at his own discretion. Commie delegates are Lee, North Korean Army and Fang Communist Chinese Forces. Subdelegation meets tomorrow 1100K.

Part 2. Progress: As indicated in summary.

Part 3. Attitude: No change.

[Here follows Part 4, an abridged version of the transcript of the proceedings of the 26th session.]

Part 5. Conclusions: The UNC delegation feels the Communists are either now in earnest in search for solution to Demarcation Line problem, or are using sub-delegation procedure as means of stalling. No assurance of special significance attached to Communist acceptance of United Nations Comd proposal since the acceptance obviously constitutes no commitment.”

I concur.