Office of the Historian

357.AD/8–1453: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations1

secret
priority
Washington, August 14, 1953—5:21 p.m.

52. Eyes only for Lodge.… Swedish information interesting but does not help us much in developing position regarding political conference. Even though time is short I feel you should ask Hammarskjold whether Swedish representative Peking might not inform Chou En-lai in strictest confidence US preference for demilitarized zone Korea or mutually acceptable alternative suitable Asian site for political conference and that we propose be guided by provisions Article 60 Armistice Agreement in respect composition and agenda.2

This may elicit some tentative indication regarding Chinese thinking which might be helpful.

Dulles
  1. This telegram was drafted and cleared by Murphy.↩
  2. According to telegram Delga 587 from USUN, Aug. 17, 1953, Lodge made this proposal to Hammarskjold who said he would do it. (357.AD/8–1753)↩