Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 38: Telegram

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

secret
operational immediate
Tokyo, 27 October 1951—7:57 p. m.

C–56018. HNC 396. Morning and afternoon session today resulted no progress. We again gave reasons why their proposal unacceptable and why our proposal was. Long time devoted to discussion Kaesong area. Communists rejected our good reasons therefor.

We proposed discussion location line of contact. They refused for some time but finally agreed present their concept tomorrow at which time we present our line of contact. Am insisting discussions be based on line of contact.

Sub-delegation believes Communist proposal probably a bargaining one. They apparently hope for compromise some place between proposals and our adamant stand comes as rude shock to them. Their milking technique failing. Meet tomorrow 1100. Plan discuss line of contact and relationship to our proposal and review reasons for Kaesong.