Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Korea, Volume XV, Part 1

Matthews files, lot 53 D 413: Telegram

The Chief of Staff, United States Army (Collins) to the Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Clark)

secret
operational immediate

Washington, April 12, 1953—5:28 p.m.

DA 936359. From CSUSA. References: (a) CX 61879¹ (b)JCS 935344² (c)JCS 935741³ (d)DA 936349.⁴JCS have directed me to send following:

1. Concur we are not in position to refuse to resume full delegation meetings sooner or later. We would prefer that delegation meetings not be resumed until Communist good faith is demonstrated by completion exchange sick and wounded. Also, as stated in paragraph 3, reference (b), we would prefer that a detailed statement from the Communists on their plans for implementation of the Chou En-lai proposal be received prior to resuming delegation meetings. However, in view of the likelihood that Communists will continue to maintain positions set forth in their 9 April letter to General Harrison⁵ and will amplify their proposal only in meeting of delegations, and in view length of time which will be required for completion exchange sick and wounded, it would not appear desirable to attempt to maintain position set forth two preceding sentences. This is particularly pointed up by attitudes and pressures in UN for immediate resumption armistice negotiations, and for substantive discussions armistice in UNGA. Therefore, in order not to become prematurely involved in negotiations on Chou proposal either in liaison group or delegation meetings, necessary to space UNC action, including transmittal of suggested letter, over period of time as indicated below so that we are not required to enter into delegation meetings until exchange of sick and wounded well underway.

2. Since Communists will probably not amplify their proposal until delegation meetings are resumed, and since they may be expected to employ negotiating tactics which will attempt obtain UNC agreement in principle prior to amplifying their proposal sufficiently to permit a judgment of its acceptability, further pursuit of tactics set forth paragraph 2, reference (b) appear to be unproductive.

3. It is believed that the initiative could now advantageously be seized by UNC in a reply to Communist letter to General Harrison of 9 April setting forth in relatively specific terms a plan for implementation of Chou En-lai’s proposal which would be acceptable to the UNC, and suggesting a date for meeting of the liaison group to set the date for resumption of delegation meetings.

4. In the light of the foregoing, suggest that reply to Communist letter of 9 April and Communist request for liaison group meetings (paragraph 8d Z 36244)⁶ be by letter. Letter should refer to fact that Communists have not amplified details for implementation of their proposal as invited by UNC, and to the last sentence, paragraph 2, your letter 31 March,⁷ and should proceed along line that nevertheless UNC is prepared to have liaison group meet to set date for resumption delegation meetings. Letter should state that in doing so, UNC considers it implicit that when delegation meetings are resumed Communist proposals will be constructive and therefore will include reasonable and practical arrangements for implementing proposals. Letter should further state that in view of UNC the following arrangements would be reasonable and constructve and could lead to a prompt resolution of this problem:

(1) That the “neutral state” be a nation such as Switzerland, traditionally recognized as appropriate in matters of this kind;

(2) That in the interest of practicality POWs who are not directly repatriated be released in Korea to the custody of the neutral state;

(3) That after a reasonable time has elapsed, during which representatives of the Communists would have access to the personnel in question, the neutral state will make appropriate arrangements for the disposition of those remaining.

Letter should propose a liaison group meeting date 2 or 3 days subsequent to date delivery of letter to decide on date resumption delegation meetings. Text of foregoing letter should be submitted to JCS for approval prior to delivery.

5. It is suggested foregoing letter be delivered to Communists April 14 or 15; that date of liaison group meeting be set for April 17 or 18; and at liaison group meeting date for delegation meeting be set not less than 3 days following beginning of actual exchange of sick and wounded. Foregoing procedure will give opportunity to reconsider question of delegation meetings if Communists do not undertake exchange of sick and wounded as agreed, and should also enable UNC to maintain initiative and control of situation.

1. Supra.
2. Dated Mar. 31, p. 829.
3. Dated Apr. 3, p. 863.
4. This telegram, Apr. 12, 1953, was an interim reply to CX 61879, in which CINCUNC was instructed to take no action on paragraphs 2 and 3 of CX 61879 until receipt of the message printed here. (Department of Defense files)
5. For the text, see Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 20, 1953, pp. 575–576.
6. Not printed, but see footnote 1, supra.
7. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 13, 1953, p. 528.