Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Korea, Volume XXIII, Part 2

72. Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Far East (Lemnitzer) to the Department of the Army¹

Tokyo, August 8, 1955—9:31 p.m.

C 73571 (DA IN 158591). References: A. DA 986322;² B. C 73540;³ C. DA 975505;⁴ D. State 2327 to Tokyo passed to CINCUNC.⁵

1. My authority under reference C and D to take emergency action, to include removal of NNITs to DMZ, to protect security forces under my command or to protect personnel of NNITs is clearly understood.

FYI. I have directed that UNC forces providing security for NNITs at 5 ports of entry in South Korea be quietly reinforced to deal effectively with developing situation. I have no intention whatsoever of permitting present threats and “hooligan” tactics of ROK to attain their obviously desired ends i.e., to force removal of NNITs from South Korea by UNC prior to 2400 hours on 13 August, the threatened “deadline” established by ROK in letters referred to in reference B. President Rhee and ROKG might just as well find out now as later that true allies do not give ultimatums to or set “deadlines” for one another, and in this instance the UNC has no intention to be “deadlined” by the ROKG. To do otherwise would only encourage ROK to repeat this tactic in the future each time they have a demand to present.

1. Source: Department of State, NA Files: Lot 59 D 407, Defense Cables Aug–Dec 1955. Secret; Priority.
2. This telegram, dated August 7, confirmed CINCUNCs authority to remove the NNITs to the DMZ if the situation became dangerous. (Department of Defense Files)
3. In telegram C 73540 to the JCS, August 6, Lemnitzer transmitted the letter he had received that day from the Foreign Ministry which outlined South Korean objections to the continued operation of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and indicated that the Republic of Korea had demanded the withdrawal of the Commission from South Korea by August 13. Lemnitzer reported that he had responded with a letter urging patience and forebearance, but that demonstrations had begun at the compounds which housed the NNITs and he feared that the NNITs might have to be removed to the demilitarized zone. (Department of State, NA Files: Lot 59 D 407, Defense Cables Aug–Dec 1955)
4. Document 14.
5. In telegram 2327 to Tokyo, a joint State–Defense message for CINCUNC, May 12, General Taylor was instructed to attempt to delay requests for mobile NNIT inspections in South Korea without taking action which would deny such requests or lead to the expulsion of the inspection teams by the Republic of Korea. (Department of State, Central Files, 695A.0024/5–1255)