Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 12: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Ridgway) to the Advance Headquarters, United Nations Command, Korea1
operational immediate
CX–52864. Urmsgs HNC 345 (C 52616), HNC 347 (C 52858), HNC 350 (C 52800) and HNC 351 (C 52854). This msg in 3 parts.
Part 1. It is assumed here that there is no change in your intention expressed in HNC 347 to press, in first meeting of the delegates, for agreement upon issues remaining subsequent to liaison officers discussions (items 5, 6 and 9, your HNC 345). Full agreement on items 5, 6 and 9 as well as upon all points of UNC counter proposal of 12 Oct (HNC 350) are considered essential to successful continuation of the armistice negotiations and should be reached prior to discussion of substantive armistice agenda items. The acceptance of the neutral zone proposed by Peng and Kim, for which it is obvious the Communists will press, is considered out of the question.
Part 2. Ref last paragraph your HNC 347. As discussed with you when you were here, it is considered extremely desirable that UN security forces occupy the high ground east of Pan Mun Jom prior to a meeting of the delegations. The best method of informing the [Page 1039] Communists of our intentions in this regard appears to be an announcement by the UNC liaison officer to the Communist liaison officer of the anticipated forward displacement of security forces prior to their arriving at an agreement upon the exact time and date of the first delegations’ meeting. Though Col Murray expressed optimism with regard to this point, we must be prepared for a possible strong reaction by the Communists, with the possibility of further lengthy delays in the renewal of conferences. Your views upon this subj are requested if there is any change in them since your departure from Tokyo.
Part 3. Urmsg HNC 351. Certain suggested changes will be forthcoming by radio.
- Repeated for information to Washington for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.↩