Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 43: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C–69108. This msg in 3 parts. “Subj is meeting of subdelegation at Kaesong 17 Aug.
“Part 1. Summary:
“a. Subdelegation first met very informally around two foot round table. Hodes explained possible ways break deadlock such as Communists give up 38th parallel or we give up our proposed zone or they suggest adjustments to our zone or go to another agenda item. Communists asked for our specific proposal. Hodes countered with trying to get agreement on these 3 points:
- “(1) Military armistice has nothing to do with ultimate territory arrangements in Korea.
- “(2) Demilitarized zone should be positioned so that balance of military advantages existing at time of armistice is not upset.
- “(3) Each side should have defensible positions.
“b. They would not state specifically whether they agreed or not but did state they wanted equitable armistice based on 38th parallel. Hsieh Fang proposed we all look at a map. Looked at United Nations map showing their proposed zone, our proposed zone and battle lines. [Page 830] Much repetition covering same ground as plenary sessions but faster and more direct. They maintain:
- “(1) 38th parallel only sound solution.
- “(2) Battle line does not represent military situation. I say again for emphasis ‘that the ground battle line now existing does not represent military situation’.
- “(3) Their ground forces can push us south of 38th parallel at any time and therefore balance of power is now on their side.
- “(4) We should accept their word as a guarantee they will not attack during armistice.
- “(5) Air and Navy have some minor effects on war but only on position of battle line (we did not like that either).
“c. We explained reasons for our original zone and possible hypothetical adjustments such as narrowing zone and adjusting southern boundary. Asked them for proposal. They discussed 38th parallel as military demarcation line showing adjustments in demilitarized zone possible in width of zone and adjustments of boundaries to fit terrain but keeping 38th parallel as military demarcation line within the demilitarized zone.
“d. In discussion of other agenda items they asked what could be decided unless demilitarized zone was first decided. We replied exchange information on location prisoner of war camps, number prisoners in each camp, names of prisoners, inspection of camps by Red Cross and even exchange was possible. They not interested. In discussing inspection teams it evident they now thinking only of inspection within demilitarized zone and not behind it stating we have to take their word in good faith. They refused to discuss other agenda items until item 2 decided. Our subdelegation made it very plain several times that the United Nations, the United Nations Command, our main delegation and our subdelegation would not accept the 38th parallel as a military demarcation line. A demilitarized zone including the 38th parallel would not be acceptable. We would discuss any zone or any military demarcation line based on the present military situation. Subdelegation meetings continue tomorrow.
“Part 2. Progress: None.
“Part 3. Conclusions:
“The UNC Delegation feels that they expect to milk us for as much information as possible before giving up 38th parallel or breaking conference. Chinese apparently prefers subdelegation method of meeting because they can then talk. Hsieh spoke frequently and poured oil when waters got troubled. Maybe Chinese will be willing to discuss some zone other than one based on 38th parallel but evidence of that extremely slight so far.”
I concur.