Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 1

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 112: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Department of the Army

confidential
flash

Tokyo, 4 October 1951—5:29 p. m.

CX–52202. The following will be released to the press at 0419301 October:

“Generals Kim Il Sung and Peng Teh Huai.

“Your letter to me dated 3 October 1951, in answer to my letter to you dated 27 September 1951, has been received.

“I have already made clear to you my views regarding the unsuitability of Kaesong as a conference site. Events have proved that equality of movement and control has not been and cannot be assured there Satisfactory conditions for resumption of the armistice talks can only be insured by moving the conference site to an area which is not under the exclusive control of either side.

“Since you reject my suggestion to meet at Songhyon-Ni, I propose that our delegations meet at a site selected by you and acceptable to me approximately midway between our respective front lines where the armistice discussions, be promptly resumed, under the conditions stated in my message to you of 27 September 1951. Signed M. B. Ridgway, General, United States Army, Commander in Chief, United Nations Command.”