Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 21: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Advance Headquarters, United Nations Command, Korea
CX 58694. This supersedes mymsg CX 58666.1 This msg in three parts.
[Page 1241]Part 1. Desired that sub-delegation take first opportunity to reintroduce the basic UNC principles by restatement as follows:
Article 1. All armed forces, ground, sea and air under the control of either side, shall cease all hostilities within 24 hours after the armistice agreement enters into effect.
Article 2. All armed forces under control of either side shall be withdrawn from and remain outside of the demilitarized zone within 72 hours after the armistice agreement enters into effect, except such armed forces of a police nature as may be specifically and mutually agreed to by both sides.
Article 3. There shall be established a military armistice commission of mixed membership on an equal basis designated by the Commander in Chief of the UNC and the Commander in Chief of the Communist Forces, and responsible for supervision over the execution of and adherence to the terms of the armistice agreement.
Article 4. a. The military armistice commission, and its joint observer teams shall have authority to observe at ground, sea and air ports of entry and communication centers throughout all of Korea as mutually agreed to by the two delegations, together with freedom of movements for the above teams over principal lines of communication throughout all of Korea.
b. The military armistice commission shall have the right of joint aerial observation and photo reconnaissance over all of Korea.
c. The military armistice commission shall have the right of complete joint observation of the demilitarized zone.
Article 5. Neither side shall increase the level of units, personnel, war equipment, facilities, or matériel existing in Korea at the time the armistice becomes effective.
Article 6. Within 72 hours of the entering into effect of the armistice agreement, each side shall withdraw the armed forces under its control, ground, sea and air, from the territory controlled by the other side, that is to say, from behind the demilitarized zone.
Article 7. Each side will administer that portion of the demilitarized zone lying on its side of the median line and in accordance with the terms of the military armistice agreement.
Article 8. The armistice agreement shall enter into effect when the military armistice commission has been organized and is ready to begin the exercise of its functions.
Part 2. Suggest you also instruct sub-delegation as follows:
a. Insist upon clear-cut answers in unequivocal language to the [Page 1242] questions listed in your HNC 5112 as well as to the fol, which in some instances may be repetitious:
- 1.
- How are neutrals to be selected, and by whom?
- 2.
- How are neutral governments to be approached, and by whom?
- 3.
- Is agreement of both sides on each neutral to be confined to the neutral country itself or to be extended to each individual neutral representative?
- 4.
- Are the neutral inspection teams to be directly and exclusively responsible to the military armistice commission?
- 5.
- If not, from what sources will the neutral inspection teams derive their authority?
- 6.
- What are the specific terms of ref proposed for these neutral inspection teams?
- 7.
- Which are the neutral countries from which your selection would be made?
- 8.
- Within what period of time would you expect agreement could be reached on the foregoing?
- 9.
- If you should intend that the military armistice commission have no authority over the neutral inspection teams, leaving the determination to some outside authority as to whether these teams would inspect in the air, on the ground, or both, and whether these teams would be permanently located at agreed ports of entry or free to go there only when they chose, how could you expect any reasonable assurance that the terms of the armistice agreement were being faithfully executed?
- 10.
- Since you specifically would limit the scope of supervising contemplated in your principle 6 to the introduction of forces, weapons, and ammunition into Korea, do you not specifically intend to retain the right to build new airfields and to improve old ones with all their ancillary facilities as you see fit, and, if so, would not these fields then be ready for operational use upon the landing there of combat aircraft?
b. You are free to state categorically that the UNC rejects any prohibition against replacement and exchange of units and personnel on a man-for-man basis and of equipment on a piece-for-piece basis with the level existing at the time the armistice became effective.
c. You are free to state categorically that the UNC delegation considers any armistice agreement unacceptable that does not include safeguards in the form of observation which will insure against violation and evasion.
d. You are free to state categorically that unilateral reports of inspection of Communist controlled territory by Communist agencies will be unacceptable.
e. In seeking clarification of Communist positions on the foregoing and other points so far and hereafter raised, you should have in mind the necessity of reconciling two conflicting requirements: First, insistence upon sufficient time for proper analysis of Communist proposals that require a change in your basic directives, and for receipt [Page 1243] of clear and satisfactory answers to our questions; and, second, avoidance of making ourselves subject to United States and world public criticism for obstructing or unduly delaying these negotiations.
Part 3. The foregoing is not to be construed as an inflexible directive. Your comments are invited. However, with respect to the major points contained in the recent Communist proposals, you will avoid any positive commitment, or position which could be construed as commitment, without prior clearance here.