Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Korea, Volume XV, Part 1

FE files, lot 55 D 128: Telegram

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

top secret
operational immediate

Washington, September 25, 1952—4:08 p.m.

JCS 919368. From JCS.

1. After careful consideration here PresUS has approved fol course of action to be followed at Panmunjom:

a. At a single plenary session UNC Del:

(1) Presents statement along lines indicated your CX 55641¹ subj to fol changes:

(a) In part 1 delete all but first sentence of third para, all fourth through seventh paras and last 2 sentences of tenth (last).²

Deleted material considered more appropriate for inclusion in statement made at subsequent session (see paras 1 b and 5 below).

(b) In part 2 delete alternative 3 (first para under subpara 3) and substitute therefor proposal contained in part three. Also delete para immediately fol alternative 3 re disposition Chi nonrepatriates (second para under subpara 3). Particular care should be taken to avoid any commitment that Chi POWs will not be permitted to go to Formosa. Further suggest that term “POWs” be used in lieu of term “nonrepatriates” in third sentence part 2 in view of fact two of alternatives deal with disposition all POWs.

(2) Would not accept rejection of proposals at same meeting, insisting that Commies study proposals and give reply at next mtg.

b. If at next session Commies reject all foregoing proposals and offer no constructive counter proposal, UNC Del is authorized to recess indefinitely. UNC Del posture would be one of willingness to negotiate but inability to do so in face of Commie unwillingness to put forward constructive proposals. UNC Del would be willing to reconvene plenary sessions only after Commies submitted in writing text of any further proposals. Meanwhile contact would be maintained through lsn ofcrs.

2. To back up action taken by UNC, re para 1b, appropriate statements would be issued here and, we hope, in Allied countries. You should be prepared to issue statement backing UNC Del. Also, within your capabilities, you should maintain unrelenting mil pressure on enemy, particularly through air action. No major ground offensive action should be contemplated at this time. Meanwhile, consideration being given here to other practicable means of bringing pressure to bear as stated in JCS 919187.³

3. If practicable, desire above actions be initiated in mtg 28 Sep. Request early confirmation.

4. Re proposals to be presented under 1a above, it is recognized that these proposals differ from each other and from proposals previously put forth in minor degree only; however, consider them sufficiently different to warrant submission as new proposals in order to emphasize the many ways in which UNC has sought to solve POW issue and, in turn, Commie unwillingness to agree to any solution.

5. Re para 1b, above. UNC Dels statement at time of indefinite recess requires most careful consideration in order to accomplish dual purpose of having max impact upon Commie negotiating position and avoiding domestic and international interpretation that UNC has unilaterally and irrevocably broken off negots. Also desirable to coordinate with statements that will be issued here. Therefore, request that text of Harrison’s statement in this regard be submitted to JCS for approval prior to use.

6. Concur your views in para 8 of CX 55003⁴ that UNC Del should not take initiative to propose executive session. However, this should not preclude UNC Del at any stage agreeing to Communist proposal for exec session if it appears possible that such action could contribute to success of negots.

7. Comments on your CX 55297⁵ will fol shortly.

1. Dated Sept. 23, p. 528.

2. According to telegram DA 919497, CSUSA to CINCFE, Sept. 26, 1952, not printed (FE files, lot 55 D 128), a misinterpretation in Washington of paragraphing in part 1 of CX 55641 caused a misunderstanding by CINCFE of the deletions which the JCS was herein directing Clark to make. To correct this misunderstanding, the following changes were made in CINCFE telegram CX 55856 to CINCUNC Advance, Sept. 26, not printed:

   • “A. Delete all but first sentence of Para 2.
   • “B. Delete Para 3.
   • “C. Insert new Para 3 substantially as fol:

     “‘3. Within this humanitarian principle the UNC has made honest efforts to achieve an armistice. So that there can be no doubt of the objectivity and sincerity with which the UNC Del has attempted to find a solution to the POW ques, I will restate the proposals which we have previously offered and which you have summarily rejected.’”

3. Dated Sept. 23, p. 527.
4. Dated Sept. 11, p. 506.
5. The reference telegram, dated Sept. 17, 1952, transmitted Clark’s suggested changes for paragraphs 51, 52, and 54 of the Armistice Agreement (FE files, lot 55 D 128).