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

Editorial Note

On November 11, Admiral Joy issued a statement to the press the text of which is printed in the Department of State Bulletin, December 24, 1951, page 1035. In support of the United Nations Command position, Admiral Joy asserted that the goals of the delegation were to establish a demilitarized zone reflecting the military situation on the day the armistice was signed; to provide adequate security for the United Nations forces, front and rear, during the suspension of hostilities; to insure against a military buildup beyond the level existing at the time of the armistice; and to arrive at quick and satisfactory arrangements on prisoners of war. The enemy, he said, wanted a finalized zone determined immediately primarily in order to secure relief from United Nations Command military pressure during a de facto cease-fire, meanwhile prolonging the negotiations without cost to himself.