Office of the Historian

Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 45: Telegram

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

top secret
operational immediate
Washington, July 9, 1951—3:09 p. m.

JCS 95863. From JCS for CINCUNC eyes only. Personal for Ridgway. We consider it essential that the press of the United Nations have representation at Kaesong as to pictures and news coverage at least equal to that assumed by the Communists.1

  1. General Ridgway sent the following reply in his telegram HNC–044, dated July 10:

    “Urmsg JCS 95863.

    “No information here at this time of Communist planned press coverage of Kaesong Conference. Senior UN delegate will propose at first meeting 10 July that 16 representative correspondents be in Kaesong area during conference meetings daily. They will not be admitted to conference room. These 16 are broken down as follows: 4, agencies; 5, independent; 2, still photographers; 3, news reel and television; 2, radio. Remainder of the press will be briefed in this area throughout the sessions on background highlights.” (Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 46)

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