Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 145: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
241420Z. For info, CINCUNC Adv HNC 637.
“Sub-delegates on item number 3 met at 1100. Hsieh led off with statement that only one question remained in disagreement: Interference in internal affairs. Hsieh said UNC proposal of 23 December contained no concessions on this point. Hsieh submitted proposal as follows: (4) In order to ensure the stability of the military armistice so as to facilitate the holding by both sides of a political conference of a higher level, both sides undertake not to introduce into Korea any military personnel, combat aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons and ammunition after the armistice agreement is signed and becomes effective. Such rotation of military personnel as within the limit agreed upon by both sides shall be reported to the military armistice commission so that the supervisory organ of neutral nations may be entrusted to conduct on-the-spot supervision and inspection, and shall be carried out at the ports of entry in the rear agreed upon by both sides. (5) Each side shall designate an equal number of members to form a military armistice commission to be responsible for supervising the implementation of the armistice agreement and for settling through negotiation any violations of the armistice agreement. The functions of supervision and inspection as stipulated in the armistice agreement shall be carried out in accordance with the following two provisions:
- “a. Within the demilitarized zone, the military armistice commission utilizing joint teams directly dispatched by it shall be responsible.
- “b. Outside the demilitarized zone, at the port of entry in the rear as agreed upon by both sides and at the places where violations of the armistice have been reported to have occurred, a supervisory organ of representatives of neutral nations shall be entrusted to be responsible. Upon the request to the supervisory organ of neutral nations by both sides or either side on the military armistice commission for investigation of a violation of the armistice agreement, the supervisory organ of neutral nations shall be responsible for carrying out the inspection immediately.
“(6) Both sides agree to invite neutral nations which have not participated in the Korean war, to send upon their consent an equal number of representatives to form a supervisory organ entrusted by the military armistice commission to be responsible for carrying out [Page 1438] the functions of supervision and inspection as stipulated in para (4) and para (5) b of this agreement. Upon the request by both sides or either side on the military armistice commission for carrying out these functions, the supervisory organ of neutral nations shall immediately dispatch inspection teams to carry out the functions of supervision and inspection as stipulated in the armistice agreement at ports of entry in the rear as agreed upon by both sides, and at places where violations of the armistice agreement have been reported to have occurred outside the demilitarized zone, and shall report on the results of supervision and inspection to the military armistice commission. In performing their above stated functions, the inspection teams of neutral nations shall be accorded full convenience by both sides over the main lines of communication and transportation as agreed upon by both sides.
“UNC pointed out new Communist proposal contained no new points of substance, no concessions whatever. UNC asked if Hsieh’s proposal was submitted seriously or as a joke. Hsieh said restrictions on airfields and aerial observation were firmly opposed by his side. Hsieh said his side felt it more thorough to use wording “no introduction” rather than “no increase” in respect to weapons and other matériel. UNC delivered lengthy statement condemning Hsieh’s so-called concessions and emphasizing equity of UNC proposals. Hsieh claimed he had made huge concession on rotation in removing specific limit of 5,000 from his proposal. Hsieh said his side favored peace, UNC favored war. Hsieh said public opinion of world would judge who made concessions. UNC said Hsieh’s so-called new proposal unacceptable. After recess, Hsieh said he had nothing new to offer, desired UNC comments on his proposal of today. UNC said Hsieh’s proposal deserved no more comment than already had been given, and asked if Hsieh considered he had made sincere effort to solve differences. Hsieh defended his proposal as best he could, laying stress on point that words “ports of entry” included all types of ports. Hsieh again attacked airfield restriction and aerial observation. Hsieh said whether UNC wished to have an armistice depended entirely on UNC next step. UNC made statement pointing out that loss of some sovereignty was inevitable in armistice, the only important question being whether restrictions were equally applied on both sides. All nations today forfeit a part of their sovereignty. Hsieh said preceding arguments were absurd, deserved no comment. UNC said Hsieh needed more time to study UNC statements. Hsieh said no need for him to give UNC statements further consideration.
“Recessed 1545. Continue 1100 tomorrow. Signed Joy.”