KOREA TRUCE AGREEMENT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27225, 17 December 1953, Page 11

KOREA TRUCE AGREEMENT

Rhee Agrees To Extension

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) SEOUL, December 16. The President of South Korea (Dr. Syngman Rhee) today extended his time limit for observing the Korean armistice agreement and alleviated fears that he would take independent action against the Communists on January 27 next year. He told a press conference that South Korea would observe the armistice for 90 days after the start of the Korean political conference. regardless of when it was convened.

Dr. Rhee’s statement is a complete switch from his previous stand, which his Foreign Minister (Mr Pyun Yung Tai) reiterated yesterday. Mr Pyun told correspondents there was no change in the Republic of Korea s promise to observe the armistice for only six months after the signing of the agreement—until January 27. Ho said South Korea would not sit and wait, but would take some action.

Hopes of a resumption of the preliminary talks between the Communists and the United Nations to arrange the Korean political conference faded today. The Communists again today repeated their “perfidy” charge against the United States,- and neither side is in a position to make any move towards resuming the talks, from which the American envoy, Mr Arthur Dean, walked out on Saturday. Officials connected with the talks were, until December 12, openly optimistic that the Korean political conference would be arranged. But throughout the negotiations there were doubts whether, even if the conference were convened, it would succeed in settling the Korean problem. According to the military armistice agreement, one purpose of the conference was to be the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Korea. But on the United Nations side there is already commitment to the mutual security pact between the United States and the Republic of (South) Korea, while the North Korean And Chinese Communists have also bound themselves by a new treaty. Cause of Deadlock Before any conference arrangements were agreed at the preliminary talks, new difficulties arose over which nations should participate. The armistice agreement provided that it should be held between “both sides,’ and its preamble said that the agreement referred to “belligerents.”

The Communists wanted neutrals to take part and the Soviet Union to be included as a neutral. The United Nations said that the Soviet Union could take part if the Communists invited her on their side, and if the Soviet Union voted as a full participant. The talks were in a state of deadlock on this question before the walk-out.

Dr. Rhee yesterday termed the action of Mr Dean in walking Out of the preliminary talks as a “signal victory. We are all proud of him.” Dr. Rhee said his country had opposed any conference with the Communists. “from the very start.” He hoped the latest experience would show the United Nations that any conciliatory attitude to the Communists “will never do.”

He added: “This is the first time that a United States representative has walked out of a conference in defence of the honour and prestige of his nation. .His walk-out will tremendously boost the morale and spirit of all anti-Communist peoples throughout the world.”

The Communist charge of United States co-operation with South Korea in releasing prisoners was one of the numerous false charges.. such as bacteriological warfare and the like, designed to humiliate the United States, said Dr. Rhee. The Communists had failed to withdraw the charge because are familiar with the weak policy of the United Nations.” Mr Ben-Gurldn Retires.—“ The Times” says that Mr David BenGurion, who resigned the Israeli Premiership a week ago for a life of manual work and meditation, took up residence today in the Negeb settlement of Sde Boker in the desert south of Bersheeba.—London, Dec. 14.