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

795.00/11–1854: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices¹

secret

Washington, November 18, 1954—8:01 p.m.

260. Korean Briefing Meeting November 18.² Murphy outlined problem arising from unneutral character NNSC activities owing to lack of Communist cooperation in north and from ROK attitude toward activities Czech and Polish members NNSC teams operating in south. Requested group’s reactions on approach to Swiss and Swedes on behalf of 16 with suggestion Swiss and Swedes inform Military Armistice Commission (MAC) that: 1) NNSC has not operated on neutral basis 2) they therefore request MAC to develop new procedures or amend Armistice Agreement to make possible effective operation NNSC 3) pending negotiation of necessary changes they are withdrawing their members inspection teams to Demilitarized Zone. This would mean inspection teams could not function since Armistice Agreement specifies they must be composed equal number from both sides.

Murphy expressed hope such suggestion could be made in Bern and Stockholm on behalf of sixteen by perhaps US France and UK and urged matter be dealt with promptly as possible preferably before November 29 when Korean item expected to be considered in UNGA.

French representative concurred in approach but proposed Swiss and Swedish communication to MAC should also indicate readiness hold weekly NNSC meetings in Demilitarized Zone. Agreed.

Colombian representative suggested in approaching Swiss and Swedes importance which sixteen attach to maintenance Armistice and UNC authority be stressed, together with expression of complete satisfaction with way in which Swiss and Swedish NNSC members have functioned and of understanding that lack of Communist cooperation was only reason unable do more. Agreed.

In response question from Canadian representative Murphy indicated approach would be on inquiry basis and results would be reported to sixteen after which situation could be appraised on basis Swiss and Swedish reactions. All agreed UK France and US should make inquiry.³ Canadian representative said however his Government would wish consider matter further after reactions received in view possible implications for Canada’s responsibilities in Indochina.

Importance maintaining complete secrecy this matter emphasized.

Dulles

1. This telegram was drafted by Elizabeth Brown and cleared by Murphy. It was sent to Addis Ababa, Ankara, Athens, Bangkok, Bern, Bogota, Brussels, Canberra, The Hague, London, Luxembourg, Manila, Ottawa, Paris, Seoul, Stockholm, Pretoria, Tokyo for CINCUNC, Wellington, and USUN New York.
2. A more detailed record of this meeting can be found in a memorandum of conversation, by Brown, Nov. 18, 1954 (795.00/11–1854).
3. The instructions to the Embassies in Bern and Stockholm to make this joint approach are located in telegram 681 to Bern repeated to Stockholm as 386, Nov. 22, 1954. (795.00/11–2254)