Roadblock

The negotiators at Kaesong, trying to write an agenda for the cease-fire talks, seemed to be getting along famously. By the middle of the week, they had agreed to list threem topics: 1) the physical details of stopping the fighting; 2) the definition of a cease-fire line; 3) safeguards against resumption of fighting. Then came the trap: the Reds wanted the agenda to list another topic, to wit, "withdrawal of foreign troops" from Korea.

U.S. Vice Admiral Charles Turner Joy, spokesman for the U.N., insisted that this was a political matter, and clearly not a proper topic for a conference specifically intended to negotiate nonpolitical issues.

North Korea's General Nam II, sitting on a four-inch cushion to cut a more impressive figure at the conference table, was also adamant; it was, said,he, a proper subject for the negotiators.

At the next session, flint-faced Admiral Joy, his Midwestern drawl turned down to a deliberate monotone, spoke for only five minutes, repeated that the U.N. would not discuss troop withdrawals.

At this point, two slight men, whose tabless, shapeless uniforms seemed drab beside the snappy uniforms of the North Koreans, stirred vigorously at the table. During the previous seven sessions, the Red Chinese negotiators had been impassive, let Nam II do the talking. Now they scribbled notes furiously. When Joy finished, they spoke quickly to their interpreter who relayed their words to General Nam II. For four minutes, the hiss of whispers filled the room.

After General Nam II repeated his line once more, and Admiral Joy once more said no, Nam II finally asked: could the conference adjourn for four days, until Wednesday (presumably while he sought further instructions)? Yes, said Joy.

Allied newsmen at Kaesong speculated that the Chinese Communists were willing to compromise on the foreign troops issue, were pressing the North Koreans to go along. This week's Red answer would decide whether or not the truce talks would continue.

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