Evening star., 1951-06-28
Russia Urges koreo Truce Talk
BY Field Commanders Of U. n,
Red Korean and Chinese Armies
Proposes Armistice
Terms Limited to
Military Issues
BY the Assoeiutsd Press

BY the Assoeiuted Press
The State Department an
nounced today that Russia has
proposed that the United Nations
North Korean and Red Chinese
commanders negotiate a Korean
armistice.
The Soviet Union suggested
armistice terms limited "to strictly
military questions.
The proposal was made yes
terday to Ambassador Alan G.
Kirk by Soviet Deputy Foreign
Minister Gromyko in Moscow.
Mr.. Gromyko, the department
said, indicated that it would be
for the military representatives
of the unified command and of
the Korean Republic command on
the one hand and the military
representatives of the North Ko-
rean command and the Chinese
volunteer units on the other to
negotiate the armistice envisaged
IN Mr.. Malik's statement"
Jacob Malik, Soviet delegate to
the United Nations. put forward
the original cease-fire sugges-
ton in a speech Saturday.
Kirk Given Qualification.
Admiral Kirk. on instructions
from Secretary of State Acheson,
called on Mr.. Gromyko yesterday
to seek a Qualification of Mr..
Malik's speech.
The State Department an
nouncement said:
"The armistice. Mr.. Gromykc
pointed out, would include cease
fire and would be limited to
strictly military questions with
out involving any political or
territorial matters; the military
representatives would discuss
questions of assurance against
the resumption of hostilities.
Beyond the conclusion of an
armistice the Soviet government
had no specific steps in mind
looking toward the peaceful
settlement to which MFR. Malik
referred. Mr.. Gromyko indicated,
however, that it would be up to
the parties in Korea to decide
what subsequent special arrange
ments would have to be made
for a political and territorial
settlement"
"EIe said that the Soviet govern
ment was not aware of the views
of the Chinese Communist re-
gime on Mr.. Malik's statement.
"The implications of Mr.. Gro
myko's observations are being
studied. The Department Of State
is consulting with the representa-
tives of other countries having
armed forces in Korea under the
unified command"
Parleys Held With Allies.
At the time of the departments
announcement, Assistant Secretary
of State John D. Hickerson was
engaged in a series of conferences
with diplomats representing some
of the countries fighting in Korea.
Announced as scheduled to see
Mr.. Hickerson were representatives
of Turkey, New Zealand, South
Africa, Thailand, Colombia, the
Philippines. Ethiopia and Norway.
Press Officer Lincoln White told
reporters the department could not
speculate on what might be the
end result of consultations.
officials indicated, however, that
the department is reserving judg-
ment on prospects for cease-f1re,
and is steering clear of either ella
tion or detection as a result of the
new development.
Mr.. White was asked whether
Gen. Matthew Ridgway, the United
States and U. N. commander in
Korea, has been ordered to do
anything yet as a result of cease
fire preliminary talks.
Mr.. White replied he doubted
seriously the department would
want to disclose any instructions
which might have been sent. He
said he did not know of any new
instructions to Ambassador Kirk.
Asked whether the State De-
partment was surprised by Mr..
Gromyko's claim that Moscow
did not know the views of the
Communist China regime, Mr..
White said, 'You can draw your
own conclusions.
Admiral Kinks report of his
meeting with Mr.. Gromyko was
passed on to the representatives
of the U. N. Allies last night and
today. They are due to have an
other of their semiweekly reviews
of Korean developments tomor-
row.
American officials were de-
scribed as encouraged over Rus
sia's response to their first request
for clarification of Mr.. Malik's
cease-f1re suggestion.
But authoritative informants
tSee TRUCE, Page A-5.)