Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 21: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C–53193. CINCUNC Adv HNC 369.
“Further to HNC 368.
“At afternoon session beginning at 1500, Col Kinney opened with inquiry on other side’s version of Article 3. Col Chang and Col Tsai attempted to refute UNC statement of morning session, particularly the matter of overflight of aircraft. They insisted that overflight poses as much threat to the delegations as the entry into the zone of an infantry company. Chang then proposed his former wording with respect to ‘armed forces’ be used in para 3; that ‘armed forces’ alone be used thereafter in agreement and that an understanding on the matter be entered into by the liaison officers. He then presented the following statement of understandings:
“The liaison officers of both sides mutually understand that:
“1. The term armed forces of both sides in the agreement includes only the armed units and armed personnel under the control of or inspired by either side. Neither side will be responsible for an incident, if it is established definitely through joint investigation that the persons responsible for that incident are not inspired by or subject to the control of either side.
“2. Investigation of reported violations of agreements shall be conducted as has been the practice of the liaison officer in the past.
“3. Agreement reached between the liaison officers on matters concerning the resumption of armistice conference by the delegations may also be the draft of related part of the agreement of security arrangements to be stipulated by the delegations for the entire duration of the armistice negotiations. The draft, however, does not preclude additions and deletions by the delegations of both sides. All previous security agreements and agreements regarding the Kaesong conference site area and neutral zone are superseded by the agreement of security arrangements for the entire duration of the armistice negotiations when the latter agreement is stipulated by the delegations or both sides.
“UNC took this proposal under consideration. Col Kinney then attacked proposals of other side on zone. It is noteworthy that although only slight progress was made on differences in this item except as indicated above, other side at no time today withdrew behind front that this subject or any subject must be reserved for the delegations. Meetings continue tomorrow at 1000 18 Oct 51”.