Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 168: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East ( Ridgway ) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C–58370. For info, CINCUNC Adv 498.
“Report of armistice conference 30 November. Convened 1100. UNC opened. It clarified the point that the concrete arrangements it seeks are for the duration of the armistice only and that the delegations have no competence to terminate the state of war. In reply to Nam Il’s question of yesterday UNC said it had authority to discuss limitation on increase of forces in Korea because the governments concerned consider the limitation of forces is a necessary measure to prevent resumption of hostilities during armistice. However, said UNC, it will not make any commitment at this time concerning ultimate or staged withdrawal of foreign troops since governments concerned consider this question unrelated to a military armistice. UNC said further, the question is basically not one of authority it is a question of measures to be taken to insure an effective armistice. UNC said it will insist upon principles of limitation of forces and joint observation and that it would not agree to immediate withdrawal of UNC forces from Korea.
“Nam Il replied in the following vein. Withdrawal of troops and speedy settlement of Korean question can prevent hostilities after the armistice. His side is ready to discuss the question under agenda item 5. The 5 principles he proposed provide reasonable solution to 3rd item of agenda, whereas principle and concrete measures of UNC third and fourth points are unreasonable and impracticable. UNC insistence on them raises doubt as to its sincerity. Agreement on 5 principles is practicable and would permit plenary session to go on with agenda item 4 while details are worked out. What is the objective of the UNC in insisting upon so impractical a principle as your number 4? Under pretext of maintaining balance of forces UNC proposes to interfere in internal affairs of the other side. This is inconceivable in a military armistice. Minimum confidence in the sincerity of the other side which is necessary in an armistice renders such interference unnecessary and unwarranted. His side thought [Page 1207] UNC should have recognized such proposals as unreasonable and unattainable but it has, nevertheless, advanced them. The purpose is to prevent reconstruction and rehabilitation of Korea under pretext of forbidding increase of military facilities for offensive purposes. Under pretext of striking military targets UNC destroyed the peaceful towns of Korea. Now under pretext of preventing increase of military facilities for offensive purposes UNC attempts to keep Korea forever a heap of ruins.
“On one hand UNC wants to refrain from introducing into Korea additional forces. On the other it seeks to introduce them under the name of replenishment and replacements if there is an armistice. What is the need for replenishments and replacements? How are these to be distinguished from an increase of military forces and equipment? On the one hand the UNC says this a military armistice without political consideration. On the other hand it maintains that the supervisory organ have free access to all parts of Korea. This is a brazen interference into internal affairs. This is unreasonable and unwarranted and our side cannot absolutely agree to such a provision.
“Nam Il reviewed the 5 Communist principles explaining their meaning. He then returned to the wording of the 5th UNC principle and rejected UNC stand that it retains coastal islands and waters now under its possession during the Armistice. UNC responded to Nam Il’s comment on Communist 5 principles as follows. It agrees with 1 and 2. It agreed with 3 in part, but UNC must retain coastal islands now under its control during armistice. It agrees with principles 4 and 5. However, the 5 principles are not sufficiently broad to be a complete solution to agenda item 3 since they give no thought to question of functions and authority of armistice commission. UNC agrees that plenary session lay down general principles on item 3, but these must include functions and authority of commission. The heart of this is the principle of joint inspection.
“UNC continued amplifying its views on the third and fourth principles. In connection with the third principle the words of paragraphs 4e and f of JCS 953541 were used. In connection with the 4th principle it explained joint observation as follows: There should be joint observation teams located at key points throughout Korea such as ports, airfields, and major communication centers. In addition, there should be joint aerial observation of Korea to provide photographic and visual checks on conditions related to the armistice. By the use of aerial observers we, the military armistice commission, can obtain immediate factual determination of many questions which may arise. Between the two methods of observation, air and ground, full coverage of all matters related to the armistice can be obtained.
[Page 1208]“At UNC suggestion of recess for lunch Nam Il stated that he had heard nothing new and that unless UNC had something new for afternoon session he proposed recess until 1100 tomorrow. Signed Joy”