Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 167: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
C–60409. HNC–678. For info CINCUNC Adv msg HNC 678.
“Sub-delegation on agenda item no 3 met at 1100 hours this date.
“1. Morning session UNC asked for answers to questions of past 2 days. Hsieh claimed answers given many times. UNC stated Communists refuse to make any effort to solve differences while UNC has agreed to rehabilitation of limited number of airfields for civil air operations. Thus any pretext of interference in internal affairs eliminated. Claimed Communists intend increase military air capabilities preventing stable and effective armistice. Accused Communists of hiding this intent under false term ‘interference in internal affairs;’ [Page 1465] claimed Communists attempting to deceive people of world. Hsieh refuted UN remarks, made long statement accusing UN of attempting to gain control of all of Korea through aerial observation during armistice. UNC pointed out that proposal applies equally to both sides, asked enemy to adopt sincere attitude thus enable both sides to reach agreement on existing issues. Hsieh said Communists would accept no unreasonable demands and would continue to defend their sovereign rights. Asked UN to accept their fair and reasonable proposal of December 24. UNC asked for any serious effort which would solve existing differences. Communists stated they had made all efforts, next step up to UN. UN asked if enemy intended to build up air capabilities during armistice. Hsieh avoided question.
“2. Afternoon session:
“a. UNC asserted Communists evade and ignore issues remaining and refuse to answer questions. Stated many details left to be worked out after principles agreed to, including agreement on non-combatant nations, supervisory organ and observer teams; functions, rights and support of MAC and supervisory organ; agreement on ports of entry; islands to be controlled by each side; and agreement on ways and means of recovery of war dead. UNC submitted new proposal revising principles 4, 5, and 6 as follows:
“4. 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 undertake not to introduce into Korea any reinforcing 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 non-combatant nations may be entrusted to conduct on-the-spot supervision and inspection, which shall be carried out at the ports of entry in rear agreed upon by both sides.
“The rehabilitation of a limited number of airfields for civil air operations at specified points shall be agreed; such rehabilitation shall not include extension of runways. No other airfields shall be rehabilitated or constructed.
“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 violation 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 2 provisions:
“a. Within the demilitarized zone, the military armistice commission utilizing joint teams directly dispatched by it shall be responsible.
[Page 1466]“b. Outside the demilitarized zone, at the ports 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 non-combatant nations shall be entrusted to be responsible. Upon the request to the supervisory organ non-combatant 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 non-combatant nations shall carry out the inspection.
“6. Both sides agree to invite nations acceptable to both sides which have not participated in the Korean War, to send, upon their consent, an equal number of representatives to form a supervisory organ to be entrusted by the military armistice commission to be responsible for carrying out 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 non-combatant nations shall dispatch immediately 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 team of non-combatant nations shall be accorded full convenience by both sides over the main lines of communication and transportation as agreed upon by both sides.
“UNC claimed great concession made already on airfields. Reiterated previous concessions on islands; single directing authority, non-combatant inspection teams, rehabilitation of limited number of airfields for civil air operations. UNC proposed giving up safeguard of aerial observation only if Communists willing to agree to 3 principles submitted without substantive change. Communists requested 15 minute recess to study new proposal.
“b. Hsieh asked 3 questions:
- “(1) UNC interpretation of ‘reinforcing.’ Would exchange of weapons on piece-for-piece basis still be permitted?
- “(2) Was it intentional UNC did not take out last passage of principle 4, which refers to rehabilitation of airfields?
- “(3) Would number of neutral nations to be invited be odd or even?”
“c. UNC answers were as follows:
- “(1) Answer has been given in previous sessions.
- “(2) Yes.
- “(3) That is a detail; we are now talking about principles.
“d. Hsieh agreed 3 revised principles a step forward but a main stumbling block is still UNC desire to interfere in their internal affairs. Hsieh suggested recess until 1100 30 December for more complete study of UNC proposal. UNC now at presently authorized final position and will adopt firm stand on this position beginning tomorrow. Signed Joy.”