Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Korea, Volume XV, Part 2

Matthews files, lot 53 D 413: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Clark) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff¹

top secret
emergency

Tokyo, July 11, 1953—7:40 p.m.

CX 63627. Reference: AmEmb Seoul DTG 091315Z.²

1. Info aval here indicates that the Robertson–Rhee joint statement is to be published shortly. As soon as joint statement is published, I feel that there is no reason why we should not use at Panmunjom that portion of Rhee’s ltr dated 9 Jul 53 contained in ref, which indicates that ROK will not obstruct the armistice.

2. I propose to instruct Harrison to make use of this info to give assurance to the Communists that the UNC, which includes the ROK forces, is prepared to carry out the terms of the armistice.

3. Rqst concurrence ASAP in order that Harrison may take this action at next armistice meeting scheduled for 1100I 12 Jul.³

1. This telegram was repeated to Harrison and Robertson for their information.
2. This telegram contained the text of Rhee’s letter of July 9, 1953, to Robertson; for text, see p. 1357.
3. In telegram JCS 943663, a joint State–Defense message, July 11, 1953, not printed, the JCS approved Clark’s suggestion subject to any objections Robertson might have. (Matthews files, lot 53 D 413) For Robertson’s objections, see telegram 44, infra.