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

85. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Sweden¹

Washington, September 6, 1955—6:19 p.m.

275. Tokyo also pass CINCUNC. September 2 delivered aide-mémoire² Swiss and Swedish representatives NNSC stating 1) U.S. agreed March 2 aide-mémoire³ with Swiss and Swedes desire abolish NNSC 2) UNC accepted NNSC proposal for reduction on August 29 as temporary measure but stated only satisfactory solution was dissolution NNSC 3) in aide-mémoire to Swedes recalled reservation which accompanied Swedish agreement reduction NNSC and stated from this and other indications had clear impression Swedes planned further action. Expressed hope to both Governments that they had plans for further action leading at least to withdrawal personnel to DZ. Asked be informed any such plans and hoped action can be taken before October 15, 1955. Aide-mémoire concluded with expression appreciation sincere efforts Swiss and Swedes make Commission work, regretted partisanship and lack cooperation Communists and expressed belief Swiss and Swedish representatives had done all that might reasonably be expected make Commission effective.

Swedes asked if U.S. awaiting Swedish proposal aimed at dissolving Commission and expressed view October 15 little early for action terminate Commission. Informed we understood recent reductions would be first step and that concept further step under discussion long enough to counter charges action too abrupt if taken October 15.

Swiss concerned with legal position and said delivery present note made further action more difficult. They informed Swedes already satisfied legal basis for withdrawal firmly established, U.S. delivering aide-mémoire and not note and had no intention making this public. Gave Swiss Minister substance Zehnder’s views in Bern’s 230.⁴

Voluntary nature membership NNSC emphasized and explained while Swiss and Swedes have neither authority nor obligation end NNSC they could decide withdraw in light unanticipated prolongation Commission.

Hoover

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795.00/9–655. Confidential. Drafted by Jones and approved by McClurkin. Also sent to Bern and repeated to Seoul, London, Paris, and Tokyo.
2. Memoranda of separate conversations which Murphy had on September 2 with Swiss Minister De Torrenté and Swedish Chargé von Sydow, drafted respectively by B.M. Lancaster of WE and G.G. Hilliker of BNA, are ibid., 795.00/9–255. A copy of the aide-mémoire referenced here is attached to the memorandum of conversation between Murphy and De Torrenté.
3. See Document 26.
4. In telegram 230 from Bern, September 1, Ambassador Willis reported that Secretary General Zehnder was formulating a proposal for a “second step” in the reduction of the functions of the NNSC. Zehnder envisioned the withdrawal of the NNITs to the demilitarized zone, where they would remain for lack of requests for mobile inspections. Zehnder hoped that the United States would not ask the Swiss Government to terminate the NNSC since it would be difficult for a neutral nation to comply with such a request. (Department of State, Central Files, 795.00/9–155)