611.61/10–451: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union 1
priority
niact
253. FYI only as background and for use only in event Vyshinsky raises question present impasse in resumption Korean armistice talks.2
[Page 995]Vyshinsky may well repeat Commie charges concerning Amer responsibility for non-resumption talks and take position US insincere in desiring conclude armistice because its insistence upon change site of talks from Kaesong to another area.
In reply you may affirm UN Command is sincerely desirous conclude armistice; that past experience with Kaesong site fully illustrates fact this place does not afford adequate protection guaranteeing security negots; that UN Command’s insistence upon another site which will not be under control either side and to which both sides will have free access shld eliminate possibility incidents and ensure talks can be resumed with good prospect success. In proposing discussion change of site from Kaesong, UN Command’s sole purpose has been obtain resumption talks in truly neutral area with equality of rights and access and to obviate possibility of charges and counter charges concerning incidents which have plagued talks to this date. In eyes UN Command there is no reason why agreement on another site truly neutral cannot be quickly agreed upon by both sides and talks resumed.
- Repeated for information to London as telegram 1823, to Paris as telegram 1979, and to Tokyo as telegram 543.↩
- Ambassador Kirk had already informed the Department in his telegram 577, October 4, from Moscow that he had an appointment to see Vyshinsky at 2 p. m. Moscow time on October 5 (611.61/10–451).↩