Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 24: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
priority
C–58754. HNC–520. “Part 1: Meeting of sub-delegations convened at 1300 this date. In answer to query, Lee replied his side would agree to invite representatives of those nations not directly participating in the fighting in Korea to form neutral inspecting organ. His side would accept members of United Nations such as Czechoslovakia or Poland, who were not fighting in Korea. In response to query, Lee replied Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark would be acceptable under the stated criteria. Lee said the Armistice Commission would not direct the neutral inspecting organ. The 2 would be parallel organs. The neutral organ would report the results of its inspections to the MAC. The MAC and the neutral organ are to be 2 independent agencies. No one can give instructions to the neutral organ, its directive is the armistice agreement itself. The neutral organ is a referee, operating in accord with the terms of the armistice. The MAC may request the neutral organ to make inspections outside Demilitarized Zone in case of specific needs. The major task of the MAC is to supervise the Demilitarized Zone. In addition the MAC will supervise exchange of POWs and will handle the reports made by the neutral inspecting organ. Individual representatives of neutral nations would be selected by the governments thereof. The neutral governments will determine whether their representatives are military or civilian, probably military. Agreement on neutral nations to be selected can be reached as soon as the principle is accepted, in 1 day, if UNC Delegation is agreeable. As soon as 3rd Agenda Item is completed, neutral nations will be invited during discussion of 4th Agenda Item. Personnel from neutral nations can be on hand at the time of the signing of the armistice. Communists refused to answer whether ports of entry include airports of entry. Communists evaded answer as to what distance they had in mind in using phrase ‘Coastal waters and islands’. They stated definition of Territorial Waters under International Law was irrelevant. In excluding aircraft from entry to Korea during [Page 1251] armistice, only combatant aircraft are meant. Neutral inspecting teams may be in place at ports of entry at the time of signing of the armistice.
“UNC Delegation proposed that a new set of principles to which both sides could agree be discussed and settled one by one. Communists insisted on package of all principles to be considered at once because of inter-relationship.
“Part 2: Tomorrow the Sub-Delegation will first seek answers to the questions on airports of entry and coastal waters. Second, we will read categoric positions contained in your CX 586941 and state that Communist proposal is therefore not acceptable. Third, we will again seek to gain acceptance of the proposed procedure of taking up principles one by one. Fourth, when third step fails, we will present your principles contained in CX 58694 if the time seems opportune. We have no expectation that Communists will accept all the principles set forth in CX 58694.
“Meetings continue tomorrow at 1100. Signed Joy.”