221. Editorial Note
On April 9 the British Embassy in China delivered a note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China on behalf of the governments involved in the United Nations Command in Korea. The note responded to statements made in February by the Chinese and North Korean Governments that Chinese forces were to be withdrawn from Korea and that the two governments favored subsequent free elections in Korea. The note asked for a “precise interpretation” of the North Korean proposals: “the Governments of the countries concerned would be glad to know whether, when the North Korean authorities speak of a ‘neutral nations organization’ to supervise the elections, they accept that these should be held under United Nations auspices and that there should be adequate supervision not only of the preliminaries but also of the elections themselves.” (For text of the note, see Department of State Bulletin, May 5, 1958, pages 735–736)
[Page 456]On May 6, the People’s Republic of China responded with a note sent through the British Embassy in Beijing. Speaking for the Government of North Korea as well, the Chinese Foreign Ministry argued that the April 9 note received on behalf of the countries involved in the United Nations Command attempted to shift the focus from the critical issue of the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Korea, as proposed in February by China and North Korea. The Chinese forces were being withdrawn, and the Foreign Ministry stated that prospects for free elections and the peaceful reunification of Korea depended upon a similar withdrawal of United Nations forces from Korea. The text of the Chinese note was repeated to Seoul on May 12 in telegram 722. (Department of State, Central Files, 795.00/5–1258) See Supplement.