Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-07-24

SoFo9eI AH-Ni9HI TI9Ht. To9e A-3
-~--
wise be identified, said only a
last-minute hitch stemming from
President Syngman Rhee's OPP
position could block the signing.
The informant said announce
ment of the date could be ex-
pected today. He said he did
not know the contemplated hour
of the ceremony, which would
formaliZe a cease-fir in the war,
now more than three years old.
Senior Officers Met Friday.
The signing date probably was
set, tentatively at least, by senior
liaison officers at a meeting in
Panmunjom Friday afternoon.
A full-dress session of the
main delegation might be held
today to approve the date.
Mr.. Rhee angrily denounced
the armistice agreement Friday,
saying some of the allied prom
iSes to the Reds cannot be al
lowed to happen"
Mr.. Rhee'S new threats
brought no immediate reaction
at Panmunjom where the liaison
officers met for 2 hours, 48 min
utes Friday, then recessed with
out scheduling another session.
Seeks to Avoid Action Alone.
The South Korean President
acknowledged that a truce was
imminent and said he is anxious
mot to follow unilateral policy
If it can be avoided. He has
threatened several times in the
past to pull out of the U. N COM
mand and fight on alone.
ROK Foreign Minister Pyun
Yung Tai said an armistice is
very close-probably in a few
days." He added that South
Korea has asked to be informed
of the signing date three days
ahead of time and I'VE have not
been informed as yet"
In a strongly worded state
ment, Mr.. Rhee accused the
allies of giving the Communists
pledges which render impossible
a fulf1llment" of some of South
Korea's basic understandings
with the United States.
Rhee Version of Agreement.
He said the agreement with
Walter S. Robertson, United
States Assistant Secretary of
State and President Eisenhow-
er's truce envoy, provided:
l. &C. that no troops from
India or any other foreign nation
will be landed in South Korea to
guard prisoners of war"
Yet, said Mr.. Rhee, "the Com
muniSts claim Gen. civilian K.)
Harrison has agreed that such
troops will land in South Korea
and that they will be granted
police protection by the U. N.
forces. I can only say the the
Korean people will not permit
this to happen"
2. e.. That the United States
will join with the Republic of
Korea in setting a time limit to
the political conference"
Yet, Mr.. Rhee added, sit has
been announced there is agree
ment that there will be no time
limit on the armiStice. :"
8. q. That Korean prisoners
who refuse repatriation shall be
set free in South Korea and that
the Chinese prisoners who refuse
to return to communism shall be
sent to a destination of their
own choice"
Yet, Mr.. Rhee said, "the So
far-uncontradicted report from
Panmunjom directly states that
this will not be done. This
cannot be allowed to happen"
No Word From Washington.
Mr.. Rhee said that during hh
conferences with Mr.. Robertson,
II asked him, as a major basis
for my reluctant agreement to
postpone our plans for dealing
with the enemy aggressors, to
give me assurances that the
United States would either joint
ly resume the fighting with us
(if the political conference
failed or if this cannot be done,
that it would back our efforts
with moral and material support
in addition to the proposed eco
nomic aid.
II am sure he is doing all he
cam" Mr.. Rhee said, ''but while a
truce seems imminent, I have
had no word on this crucial
matter"
Mr.. Rhee flew to United States
1st Corps headquarters later in
the day to present the corps with
the ROK Presidential Unit Cita-
ton.