OUTGOIN In - Amnurih it 1-4 mm Nb rtment of State I 0 4 0 3 morons 1 1 cum CRAIG to Classification 51 CC l 3 3 5654573 1 SENT TO Amembassy PARIS 750 7 Eli Amembassy ANKARA i Amenbasey BANGKOK 5 7 K S DISTRIBUTION Following consultations with Commonwealth menbers Sixteen April 23 era 53 May 16 on Defense desire provide new weapons U S forces Korea Assistanttg a Secretary Robertson met May 20 with representatives Turkish and Thai Emba gs and separately with French Charge 3 In presenting problem following points stressed 0 6 1 Article 13 d of Korean Armistice restricts replacement old equipment 0 1%0Jgo piece-for-piece basis of same effectiveness and type 2 Korean hostilities fought largely with World War II equipment much J's 4f of which no longer in production or in use by U S forces elsewhere 3 3 If defensive potential our forces in Korea not to deteriorate into impotency we must replace worn out and obsolete items with types currently m8 DH Denied OM Ody use and in production Furthermore U S ground forces currently being reorganized on world-wide scale into pentomic femtions equipped with various types dual purpose weapons Accordingly will become actremely difficult retain two 0 U S divisions in Korea organized trained and equipped in outmod entirely different pattern 5 While UNC forces deteriorating through equipment deficie -- munist side over past three years in violation 13 d Armistice new - 1W mm mom- 1 5 20 57 Wm 1 - Walter_s new 9114 mam FE - Mr Jones IDeduufy monument non 45 Homes con Ir cusslmo Is noun-Inn Classified ion nlcara Bangkok Classification introducing lated and most modern types combat equipment including 625-plane air force of which In jets Defense representative then presented evidence Commist violations In light above Defense desired authorize CINCUNC introduce certain new types equipment including several of dual capability With respect timing and presentation should we decide introduce these weapons Robertson said we were thinking of proceeding as follows 1 No later July 1 1957 Senior INC Representative Military Amistice Commission would make statement reviewing Commnist violations paragraph 13 d Armi- stice Agreement explaining problem posed by practical impossibility replacing worn- out UNC equipment with 1953 items and pointing out result has been development military imbalance In view Commnist violations 13 d UNC considers that it is entitled be relieved of corresponding obligations under provisiom this paragraph until such time as relative military balance has been restored and Communist side its actions has demonstrated willingness comply UNQUOTE Statemmt would conclude with assurance UNC intends maintain Armistice does not intend arms race and only purpose its action to restore relative m itsry balance 2 No later August 1 1957 Unified Command would transmit report action taken and reasons to UN Robertson concluded by asking for views of governments concerned on problem and our proposed plans for proceeding Both Thai and Turkish representatives expressed understanding situation Former observed emphasis should be on Commist violatiom I rather than production dit- Liiculties replacing old equipment DECLASSIFIED Classification 33315 19 Classification f FrenCh Opinion world would understand U S action taken as response Communist violations but would want to be assured that U S not going beyond 001 munist actions as to character of item to be introduced French indicated would obtain Government's reaction soon as possible 1 DULLES DECLASSIFIED Classification This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu