Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 112: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

secret   priority
Tokyo, 17 November 1951—5:25 p. m.

C–57466. HNC 459.

“Report of Sub-Delegation meeting for 17 Nov 51:

“a. Morning session and major portion of afternoon session were spent in further discussion of the relative merits and demerits of the UNC and Communist proposals of 10 Nov. The Communists having given no indication by 1430 that they would abandon their position during this session, the UNC delegates, in compliance with pertinent directives introduced the following new proposal:

“1. The representatives of the UNC and of the Korean Peoples Army and Chinese Peoples Volunteers:

  • “(1) Reaffirm their understanding that hostilities will continue until the signing of the armistice agreement.
  • “(2) Agree that the present line of contact as jointly determined by the Sub Delegations will constitute a provisional military demarcation line, and that 2 lines, 2 kilometers from this provisional military demarcation line, will constitute the southern and northern boundaries of a provisional demilitarized zone.
  • “(3) Agree that the above provisional military demarcation line and the above provisional demilitarized zone based upon the present line of contact shall become effective in any armistice agreement signed within 30 days after this agreement is accepted by the 2 delegations in plenary session.
  • “(4) Agree that, if an armistice agreement is not signed by the end of the 30 day period, the then existing line of contact will be determined jointly by the Sub-Delegations and will constitute a new provisional military demarcation line which will be the median line of a new provisional demilitarized zone to be effective under such conditions as will be at the time generally agreed to by the delegations of both sides.

“Communists gave preliminary response that proposal seemed to be in accordance with their principles, that if both sides exerted themselves the remaining questions might be resolved soon. However, [Page 1148] since this depends on how sincerely we deal with each other, the time element is not a matter of great importance.

“b. Meeting adjourned 1525 to permit Communists to study proposal.

“c. Meetings continue 1100 hours 18 Nov. Signed Joy”.1

  1. The brief report on the subdelegation meeting of November 18, contained in telegram C–57511, November 18, from Tokyo, read as follows:

    “Report of sub-delegation meeting 18 Nov:

    “In a session which lasted only 1½ hours Communists asked questions to clarify their understandings of UNC proposal made 17 Nov. They requested recess at 1230 for purpose of studying proposal further. Reconvene at 1100 tomorrow.” (Black Book, Tab 113)

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