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

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 35: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff ¹

secret
operational immediate

Tokyo, 27 October 1951—3:45 a. m.

C–55931. HNC 361.² It has been our intention to submit the new UNC solution with a short paper. We hope to refer the solution to the sub-delegation without lengthy discussion by the main delegation of its merits or demerits. We would be prepared, of course, to follow up in the main delegation with detailed support and justification of the solution should such be necessary. The proposed paper, HNC 351,³ has been revised to conform to both your C–52872⁴ and the above. It is quoted below:

“Presentation of UNC solution to item 2 of agenda we are meeting to resume armistice discussions which were suspended by you on 23 August. The purpose of these meetings remains exactly the same as it was prior to that date. It is to achieve a just and reasonable military armistice. With this in mind the UNC delegation believes that we should now discuss item 2 of the agenda. The UNC delegation has deliberated long and carefully on how best to secure a proper settlement of item 2. It is apparent from the meetings of the sub-delegations that the attempt to find common ground through a discussion of general principles and their illustrative application has not met with success. What is needed is one solution which is generally satisfactory to both sides. With this in mind we have drawn up a specific demilitarized zone which we submit on a map for your examination. It is completely equitable to both sides. We emphasize that this zone is submitted as a new and concrete solution to item 2. Your attention is drawn to the following points: The demilitarized zone is based on the line of ground contact and generally conforms to this line. It thus incorporates the first obvious requirement of a military armistice. Departures from this line of ground contact are introduced to assure suitable defensive positions in close proximity to the zone. The zone thus satisfies requirements for adequate troop security and stability. Your forces advance in the east and central sectors. UNC forces advance in the western sector. This conforms to the principle agreed to at the sub-delegation meeting of 22 August 1951. Finally, the zone is approximately 4 kilometers in width and thus provides an adequate buffer zone between the opposing forces without unduly multiplying administrative requirements for the zone. This is a most fair and reasonable solution to agenda item 2. We ask for integral agreement to it. If these discussions are not to continue indefinitely it is of the utmost importance that your side fully realize that this solution has been made as equitable as possible. We do not however exclude minor refinements mutually agreeable to both sides which closer examination may show to be administratively convenient. With this solution, the UNC has done what it can to achieve agreement on item 2. We shall now await your response.”⁵

2. With regard to publicity we have not previously released publicly exactly what we present in the armistice meetings. We do not recommend departing from this practice at this time. However, we are preparing a separate press release which will play up in some detail the characteristics of the proposed zone and the fairness of our solution. We will furnish you a draft of the proposed press release by separate message.⁶

1. This telegram was signed: Joy.
2. See footnote 2, p. 1063.
3. Text contained in telegram C–52854, October 13, from Tokyo, p. 1037.
4. Not printed.

5. Telegram C–55932, October 27, from Tokyo conveyed the text of telegram HNG 375 from Admiral Joy which proposed the following insert as the penultimate paragraph in the U.N. Command proposal:

   “The solution to agenda item 2 that we proffer is based on the present position of the battle line. This line has undergone and may continue to undergo changes during our discussions. In discussing the establishment of a demilitarized zone it would be clearly inexpedient to take into consideration each day the changes that have occurred in the battle line since the preceding day’s discussions, however, this armistice conference has already lasted four months. We very much hope for more rapid progress from now on. Should, however, the conference continue for some time, it is entirely possible that what is a just and reasonable battle line solution now will not be so at a later date. We sincerely hope that our work here will proceed with a speed that will make it unnecessary for either party to concern itself with such changes is [in?] a solution to item 2 either at the time item 2 is under discussion or at a still later date.”

   Admiral Joy expressed the view that the U.N. Command statement might well expedite the actions of the Communist side in subsequent negotiations. (Black Book, Tab 36)

6. Not printed.