SIGNING OF TRUCE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27096, 20 July 1953, Page 9

SIGNING OF TRUCE

Agreement By Communists (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) SEOUL, July 19. The Communists agreed today to begin preparations for the signing of an armistice in Korea. In a public statement released by the Allied truce delegation after the delegations had met at Panmunjon, the Communists said they were ready to discuss preparations for signing, but no date was announced immediately for the actual truce.

The statement, which was a summary of the recent secret proceedings, showed that the Communists had asked detailed questions about the attitude of South Korea towards the armistice and had received detailed United Nations

The Communists asked the Allied delegation if the South Koreans would cease firing within 12 hours after the signing of an armistice. They asked also if the South Koreans would withdraw from the demilitarised buffer zone.

Lieutenant-General William Harrison, the chief United Nations delegate, answered: “The South Koreans will ceasefire, and will withdraw.”

The Communists asked how the United Nations Command would abide by “the related terms of the armistice agreement.”

General Harrison replied that the military armistice commission would oversee South Korean co-operation but, he added, in effect that if the South Koreans took independent military action the Communists could use suitable force to counter them, and the United Nations would not support the South Korean Army. The Communists asked whether the United Nations would “maintain a state of armistice” if the South Koreans undertook aggressive action. General Harrison answered: “The answer is yes.” General Harrison assured the Communists in reply to a query that the United Nations would provide South Koreans with no “military support, equipment or supplies in violation of the armistice agreement.” The Communists asked if the South Korean agreement not to obstruct an armistice was only for a limited period of time.

General Harrison answered that the United Nations Command would abide by the armistice agreement for “the entire period when the armistice will be effective.”

He did not specifically state that there was no time limit on the period during which the South Koreans would observe the armistice. He further assured the Communists that Communists sent to explain conditions to anti-Communist prisoners of war would be protected, as would the personnel of lhe Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission which would oversee the entire truce. Enemy’s 10 Points The statement listed 10 points brought up by the Communists. They asked whether or not an armistice would include the South Korean Government and its forces. General Harrison told them: “You are

assured that the United Nations Command, which includes the Republic of Korea, is prepared to carry out the terms of the armistice agreement. I again assure you we have received from the South Korean Government the necessary assurances that it will not obstruct in any manner the implementation of the terms of the draft armistice agreement.” The Communists asked specifically how the United Nations would go about protecting “explainers” and members of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. General Harrison replied that the United Nations would establish military safeguards and “furnish police protection if necessary.” The Communists reiterated their statement that the United Nations bears “unrelievable responsibility” for recovering the 27,000 anti-Communist North Korean prisoners of war released by the South Korean President, Dr. Syngman Rhee. ~ x General Harrison would not go beyond General Clark’s statement of June 29 when the United Nations Commander said: “The United Nations Command is continuing its efforts to recover prisoners who have escaped. The, Communists asked whether the United Nations would assure that the remaining anti-Communist North Koreans and Chinese prisoners of war would not be released. General Harrison assured the Communists that the remaining prisoners would be handed over to the Neutral Repatriation Commission. After releasing the statement the negotiators of both sides continued executive sessions, presumably to discuss “preparations for signing the truce." “One Point For Settlement” The Communists insisted that there is one point for settlement before the armistice is signed, saying that the South Korean Government s declared intention to refuse to allow Indian troops to land in South Korea to guard non-repatriated prisoners as provided for in j;he prisoners’ agreement made it necessary to settle questions about the areas where prisoners would be held before the armistice. They said this question could not be left to the Military Armistice Commission.