Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 116: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

secret   priority
Tokyo, 19 December 1951—9:45 p. m.

C–59715. HNC 597. For info, CINCUNC Adv HNC 597.

“Item 3 sub-delegates met at 1100 this date. UNC delivered statement condemning Communists for offering no new proposal, for making no effort to solve disagreements, pointing out great military advantages which accrue to Communists during armistice, as result of cessation of opns of UNC air and naval forces. Hsieh responded with statement claiming concessions by his side, denying UNC concessions. Hsieh said UNC had no love for peace, rather, wailed because armistice is in sight. Unless UNC changed its attitude, progress in negotiation was impossible. After recess, UNC asked what set of principles which includes the basic thought of UNC principle five would be acceptable to Communists. Hsieh evaded. UNC asked if approval by the MAC of any rotation did not constitute a veto power over rotation. Hsieh said approval by MAC was necessary in order to insure no increase of force resulted. Hsieh said MAC would approve any reasonable rotation. Regarding airfields, Hsieh said UNC position was unacceptable. UNC asked if Hsieh meant that so long as UNC insisted on principle 5, there could be no armistice. Hsieh said 2 main points were in issue:

  • “(1) Rotation, replenishment and
  • “(2) Interference (airfields).

“Hsieh said, as a hypothesis, that if UNC gave up insistence in [Page 1382] interference (prohibition on airfields) his side would give further consideration to question of rotation. UNC said its position on both points was firm. UNC reminded Hsieh that main cause of lost time in armistice negotiations was failure of his side to recognize a firm UNC position was for

  • “(1) Prohibition of increases of military capabilities during armistice, and;
  • “(2) Effective supervision and observation of armistice.

“Hsieh attacked UNC for refusing to withdraw forces from Korea. Hsieh charged UNC had been responsible for all lost time in conference, Hsieh rptd offer to exchange rotation for airfields. Airfields are clearly the key issue of the armistice. Recessed 1700. Continue tomorrow 1100. Sgd Joy.”