Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 41: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
operational immediate
CX–58838. Am complying with JCS 88877 of 6[5] Dec. However I am concerned over first, our possible loss of initiative and second, likelihood that Communist charges of our “stalling” made in yesterday’s sub-delegation session will find support in free world public opinion.
A scant three weeks remain of the 30 days within which, in accordance with our agreement on agenda item number 2, we hoped it possible to conclude armistice agreement. There is therefore an urgent immediate need for the UNC delegation to take and to announce to the Communists a positive stand on those particular points which the United States Government will not concede. By so doing we shall make it clear to the world that delays incident to further haggling on these points will be a direct Communist responsibility.
Foremost among the points I have in mind on which a position must be quickly taken and announced, is the Communist proposal for neutral inspection teams, without responsibility to the Military Armistice Commission. This appears to be a key issue and further progress in negotiations is dependent upon the delegation having a clear statement of United States Government position on this issue. Full details as we know them have already been furnished you.
If left to my decision, I would categorically reject this proposal for the basic reason that its acceptance would be failure to comply with your instructions which forbid the UNC delegation to deal with or to discuss political questions. Authorization for the constituting and functioning of neutral inspection teams would open the door wide to the injection of all manner of political matters entirely foreign to a purely military armistice.
[Page 1259]If this point can be disposed of we shall at least learn where we stand.
Further, the foregoing suggested course of action offers some hope of Communist agreement to appointment of another sub-delegation for concurrent discussion of agenda item number 4, in which we are so vitally interested.
I would appreciate your views on the foregoing as a matter of urgency.