Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 63: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
ZX–38349. Communists reply to Ridgway; proposes reopening of talks (Peiping radio, English, 0700, 20 Sep–RP).
Here is the full text of the reply from Kim Il Sung, Supreme Commander of the Chinese Peoples Volunteers, to Ridgway, Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations forces.
“Commander-in-Chief M. B. Ridgway of the United Nations forces:
“Your reply dated September 17 has been received. Both your letter and the letter from Vice Admiral Joy, Chief Delegate of your side, to General Nam Il, Chief Delegate of our side, dated September 11, have admitted the fact that a United Nations forces aircraft strafed the Kaesong neutral zone on September 10th. However, your side still denied the various incidents which took place before September 10th when the United Nations forces violated the Kaesong zone neutrality agreement from the air and on the ground which made it impossible to proceed with the Kaesong negotiations. This kind of denial though can by no means alter or do away with all the witnesses and the material evidence which we possess concerning these incidents. And, therefore, the incidents which our side has drawn attention to and protested about must be dealt with in a responsible way.
[Page 924]“In view of the fact that your side has expressed regret concerning the latest incident in which the United Nations forces violated the Kaesong neutral zone and willingness to take a responsible attitude regarding violations of the Kaesong zone neutrality agreement and in order not to let the previously mentioned unsettled incidents continue to obstruct the progress of the negotiations of both sides, we therefore propose that the delegates of both sides should immediately resume the armistice negotiations at Kaesong without any need for further discussion on the conditions for the resumption of the armistice negotiation.
“As to dealing with the previously mentioned unsettled incidents and stipulating and guaranteeing strict agreement on the Kaesong zone neutrality, we propose that at the first meeting after the resumption of the Kaesong armistice negotiation appropriate machinery be set up by arrangement of both sides to carry out these tasks. Of course, all agreements reached through such appropriate machinery will be valid only after ratification by the delegations of both sides.
“If you agree we hope that you will immediately order the liaison officers of your side to consult with our liaison officers concerning the date and time for resuming the negotiations at Kaesong.
“Signed Kim Il Sung, Supreme Commander of the Korean Peoples Army. Peng Teh-Huai, Commander of the Chinese Peoples Volunteers. Dated September 19, 1951.”