Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 81: Telegram
The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway)
operational immediate
JCS–86804. From JCS. JCS consider present line of contact acceptable as line of demarcation, and that combat expected during next month unlikely to materially alter its acceptability. JCS understand that latest offer on part of Communists indicates they are prepared to accept such a line.
JCS desire you press for early settlement item two of agenda negotiations on basis of present line of contact with understanding that agreement as to this line will remain valid only for definite period, during which remainder of agenda must be accomplished. JCS suggest this period be approximately one month. It should be made clear that, if at end of the stated period no settlement has been reached on all items of agenda, agreements with respect to location of median line of demilitarized zone are no longer valid and new although not necessarily different median line must be established.
If Communists raise difficulties about agreeing to location of actual line of contact, suggest you attempt to get agreement on basis of map, making such concessions as are not significant, or if this is impossible that you work out such methods of checking line as would be acceptable to you (such as marking and aerial photography) bearing in mind desirability of getting through with item two as promptly possible.
JCS do not consider that agreement as above on item two would imply a cease-fire. Ground action could still continue even though gains and losses would not be of significance to location of demarcation line if other items agreed within time period. Air and Naval action would, of course, be unaffected.