740.00119 Control (Korea)/8–2547: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State 79
us urgent
300. Zurc 1064. Joint Commission held 55th session for 2 hours on afternoon August 25th with General Brown as chairman. First matter discussed was correction of certain minutes desired by Soviet delegation which was settled by Soviet delegation agreeing to let minutes stand after having read into today’s record their interpretation of what they intended to say. General Brown then read his reply to General Shtikov’s complaint against arrest of leftists in South Korea made at 54th session and released by him to press on August 23rd. Text of General Brown’s statement is being released to press this afternoon and text transmitted in separate telegram.80
General Shtikov stated he would reply when General Brown’s statement was translated and attempted briefly to justify his attack by repeating arguments in his original statement, Shtikov then mentioned that part of Molotov’s reply to Marshall’s letter of August 12th which referred to a joint status report and suggested that Subcommission number 1 prepare such report in 3 days. General Brown replied that as Soviet delegation had already been informed, American delegation’s report was submitted to Washington on August 20th. As General Shtikov again asked that Subcommission draft a report, General Brown agreed that it should first draft an outline.
In view of difficulties which have led up to present deadlock no joint report will be possible. Accordingly, as American delegation has submitted unilateral report, request that it be authorized to inform Soviet delegation that joint report is no longer required.
Next meeting set for tomorrow August 26th to hear Soviet delegation’s reply to American proposals made at 53rd meeting on August 12th, and to American delegation’s reply today concerning arrests. American delegation has in mind State serial 176, August 22nd, 7 p.m., received August 25th.