Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 1

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 154: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

secret
operational immediate

Tokyo, 26 December 1951—4:14 p. m.

C–60154. Urmsg JCS 90388.¹ Following msg dispatched to CINCUNC Adv Korea 251129Z:² “Ref HNC 615³ and HNC 624.⁴

“UNC proposed principle 4 includes phrase: ‘So as to facilitate the holding by both sides of a political conference of a higher level.’ For your guidance, JCS 90083,⁵ Part V, indicated, and JCS consider it important that any recommendation under agenda Item 5 be in general terms; that is, a recommendation to “governments and authorities concerned that early steps be taken to deal with these matters at a political level” and that, there be no commitment in The Armistice Agreement as to who shall participate in subsequent political discussions, and in what capacity, or to the form or forum of any such discussions.

“In order to comply with the foregoing guidance you are directed to amend UNC proposed principle 4 to read: ‘In order to ensure the stability of the military armistice so as to facilitate a peaceful settlement by action at a political level, both sides, etc.’.”

1. Date December 24, p. 1435.
2. i.e., 8:29 p. m.
3. See telegram C–59942, December 22, p. 1420.
4. See telegram C–59976, December 23, p. 1426.
5. Dated December 19, p. 1377.