Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 120: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C–59772. HNC–603. For info, CINCUNC Adv msg HNC 603.
“1. Meeting on item number three opened 1100 this date. Hsieh claimed concession made by his side in allowing rotation of 5,000 monthly. Hsieh said approval of rotation by MAC would be mere formality. UNC said its position on rotation and replacement was firm: No limit, except that of no increase in force and material levels. UNC said great concession made to communists in cessation of UNC air and naval operations, which would lift a multitude of interferences in internal affairs, and asked only prohibition of airfields. UNC asked if Communists did not acknowledge minimum nature of interference contemplated in UNC principle five. Hsieh accused UNC of boasting of its military strength; said he was trying to settle two major issues, (1) rotation and replenishment (2) airfields. UNC asked if Hsieh was willing to negotiate today on the basis of the facts existing today. Hsieh called UNC foolish, deriding UNC concession in withdrawing air and naval power. In display of anger, Hsieh asked if UNC could now assure that a political conference would immediately follow armistice. UNC said it could not prophesy about political conference, only sought stable armistice. Hsieh said UNC did not desire peace. Hsieh laid heavy emphasis on matter of political conference immediately following armistice, saying UNC opposed this. Hsieh said UNC evaded question of higher level conference. Hsieh contended independent state (N.K.) had inviolate right to rehabilitate facilities. Hsieh said provided UNC gave up stand on airfields, rotation would be easily solved. Hsieh said question of when deadlock was broken depended on UNC, his side had made all possible effort to resolve deadlock. UNC said United Nations desired earliest possible solution of Korean problem. First step is effective, stable armistice. This objective best served by Communist agreement to UNC principle five. UNC invited Hsieh to present a set of principles acceptable to him which include the basic thought of UNC principle five. Hsieh asserted the two opposing forces were in balance. Hsieh said UNC opposed peace. Hsieh said only if UNC gave up unreasonable stand was there any hope for armistice.
“2. After recess, Hsieh said his December 14 proposal was reasonable; that the main issues were (1) rotation and replenishment and (2) airfields. Hsieh asked if UNC had given up unreasonable demand about interfering in internal affair. UNC said it had no intention of [Page 1402] giving up prohibition on airfields. Hsieh again offered to exchange rotation for airfield. Hsieh said his side would never enter into an agreement which permitted interference in internal affairs (airfield prohibition.) UNC re-worded Communist principle four to render it acceptable to UNC. Hsieh said this was joke. Hsieh questioned good faith of UNC towards armistice. Hsieh again said he would exchange rotation for airfields. Repeated foregoing once more. Hsieh said next move was up to UNC. UNC asked if Hsieh was willing to let staff officers jointly draft a set of principles to submit to sub-delegates tomorrow. Hsieh said agreed provided staff officers used his 14 December proposal as basis of discussion. UNC said principle five was incorporated. Hsieh evaded, insisted that staff officers proceed with work, UNC agreed. Staff officers went into session at 1600, when sub-delegates recessed.
“3. Sub-delegates to meet at 1300I, 21 December. Signed Joy.”