Memorandum from Admiral Robert Dennison to President Harry S. Truman

NLT(PSF-KOREA) 8 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON for OBCDET 18 January 1952 SECURITY INFORMATION MEMORANDUM FOR: The President. Subject: Korean Armistice Negotiations, Item 3. Our present negotiating position to prohibit rehabilitation of airfields in Korea has led to an apparent impasse. If we assume that a political agreement between our selves and the communists in Korea may be unobtainable for a considerable period of time, then it must be clear that the armistice terms must be realistically related to those things which can and should be observed over a long term. If we are to issue a warning as to the serious consequences which will result from a violation of the armistice, it is all the more necessary that the terms of an agreed armistice be so stated that a violation would be clear evidence of renewed aggression TREMAN or of aggressive intent. If the armistice terms include a prohibition SERVICE" against airfield rehabilitation, then the armistice would be technically violated even by minor repairs to a single air- field. This surely would not be sufficient evidence, even though it were a violation of the armistice, for us to renew our military efforts in Korea or to apply military force else- where in Asia. However, once a violation of the armistice even in minor degree was accepted by us, the whole agreement would be weakened and the dividing line between peaceful purpose and aggressive intent would become dangerously fuzzy instead of clearly apparent. The communists have indicated a willingness to include in the armistice terms some prohibition against the "increase of air capabilities. The point of air capabilities goes to the heart of the matter. While it is clear that these capabilities include airfields, the matter of prohibiting their rehabilitation is of questionable practicality or merit. In view of all the above, I believe we have a better chance to reach an agreement on the principle of no increase in air capabilities than on our present position which includes pro- hibition against rehabilitation of fields. Also such an DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, Aug. 15-5-27 PROJECT NUT7-37 By NLT- HC NARS Date 1-18 if