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

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 111: Telegram

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

secret
operational immediate

Washington, 25 July 1951—1:33 p. m.

JCS 97220. From JCS for CINCUNC. This msg in two parts.

Part 1. Reur C 67521.¹ This seems to have been partially overtaken by your CX 67670.² However, as pointed out para 3 JCS 96421³ we believe it undesirable for you to become transmittal agency for political questions as Communists would quickly avail themselves of opportunity to raise other political questions by same means. The UN would have no objection to having this question taken up along with other polit questions involved in a settlement in Korea in some other manner after a mil armistice has entered into effect and sufficient time has elapsed to establish the fact that its provisions were being faithfully observed.

Part 2. Reur CX 67670. Your proposal to agree to inclusion in agenda of item 5 reading “recommendation to the governments of the countries concerned on both sides” is approved. However, in agreeing, you should have in mind that agreement to include item on agenda does not mean agreement to Communist statement accompanying their proposal. Further instructions will be sent as soon as possible on substantive position when item 5 is reached.

1. Dated July 23, p. 722.
2. Supra.
3. Dated July 16, p. 687.