Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-01
ArInisfice Is Dead,
Says Rhee But U. 5.
Rebuifs His View
" shs Assoelcssd Press

hy shs Assceicisd Press
Less than 90 hours after con-
GLIDING talks with President
Eisenhower, Syngman Rhee yes
terday declared the Korean ARM
iStice dead.
He called on the United States
to concur in the ousting Of the
two Communist members Of the
neutral nations supervisory COM
mission.
There was no indication the
United States would consider
scrapping the year-old truce an
action which could be considered
preparatory to resuming hos
tilitieS.
The 79-year-old Korean Pres
ident commended his officials at
Seoul for ordering the Polish and
Czech Communist members OF
the neutral nations supervisory
commission to leave South Korea
quietly"
when they leave the coun-
try, there will be no difficulty at
ALL" Mr.. Rhee said.
Says Reds Violated Truce.
His statement that the arnis-
tice is void was coupled with q
blast at the Communists for
what Mr.. Rhee described as truce
term violations and espionage.
all aimed at "the conquest OF our
people"
Mr.. Rhee,s statement was is
sued by the Korean Embassy
shortly after he few to New
York for q dinner in his honor.
In its original form. the state
ment said Korea would ask the
United States to join in declar-
ing the ar1nistice dead.
Several hours later. without
oficial explanation. this was
watered down to say the United
States would be asked instead, to
join In approving the custer OF
the two Communist truce super
viSorS.
Private indications were that
Mr.. Rhee had not discussed the
original version with President
Eisenhower, Secretary Of State
Dulles or any other top official
during his conferences here.
It was pointed out that the
Republic Of Korea had never
signed the Korean armistice
and, hence, was in no position
to terminate it. The armistice
was concluded one year ago be-
tween the United Nations and
top Communist commands and
they are jointly responsible for
enforcing it.
Doubts Resumption Of War.
As for any resumption Of hos
tilities, President Eisenhower
declared ut o news conference
just before Mr.. Rhee's arrival
here that he knew Of no one In
this country who was advocat-
ing such o course.
Ousting Of the supervisory
commissioners, however. could
pose q sticky problem for the
United States command since
pro-Western members Of the
commission are now in Commu-
mist North Korea. just - Com
munist members are in the
South.
MP. Rhee has said before that
he did not consider the Korean
armistice effective because the
Geneva Peace Conference last
month failed to bring about uni
fication Of the peninsula.
Charges N. Korea Build Up.
Originally we agreed to sup
port the United Nations agree
ment to the armistice terms"
Mr.. Rhee,s statement said. "but
never did we agree to observe
the terms Of that agreement for
q. definite length Of time"
Mr.. Rice said that. while the
armistice terms have been OBJ
served strictly In South Korea,
the Communists have built up
some 80 airfields In North Korea.
brought in MICS and ''tremen-
dous reinforcements every
where"
Meanwhile these members Of
the MISC are roaming around
South Korea taking pictures and
making records, all Of which is
strictly prohibited anywhere in
q war zone as enemy espionage
activities" he said.
The other two members Of the
NNSC are Sweden and Switzer-
land.
Rhee Wants Reserve Force.
American officials said. mean
while, the extent and precise
nature of q buildup of South Ko-
rean defense forces, reported to
have been agreed on during talks
between Mr.. Eisenhower and Mr..
Rhee, will be determined at staff
talks over the next two-to-four
weeks.
Mr.. Rhee came here with a
plan for creation of a reserve
force of Is to 20 Korean divisions
to be created by rotating vet
Grams into a home guard and
bringing up requirements for
training in existing divisions.
In addition to equipment for
these troops. he also wanted jets
for his air force and more naval
craft to patrol South Korean
waters.
Assurances were given Mr..
Rhee, a diplomatic source said,
that his defense program would
be given the support of Ameri-
can equipment. including jets
and naval craft. within the
limits of available funds.
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