FOREIGN RELATIONS: Report on Panmunjom

After flying back to the U.S. from Korea, rock-jawed Arthur Dean went on the radio last week to tell the nation about his meetings with the Communists in the famed straw hut at Panmunjom. Wall Street Lawyer Dean explained, first of all, why he broke off the talks. At the Dec. 12 meeting, after seven weeks of futile wrangling, the Red Chinese delegate charged that the U.S. was responsible for Syngman Rhee's release of 27,000 anti-Communist P.W.s last June." Said Dean to his radio audience: "I told the Chinese delegate that his statement was false, and that unless he withdrew the charge I would treat the meetings as in indefinite recess. He repeated the charge, and I walked out in protest."

All that the negotiators at Panmunjom were supposed to decide were the time, place and makeup of the political conference called for in the Korean armistice agreement. What, then, had they been arguing about for seven weeks? The makeup question. Dean explained, was "the meat of the coconut." The Communists demanded that neutrals, including the Soviet Union, be invited to attend the political conference as voting participants. Dean agreed that neutrals might attend, but insisted that 1) they should have no vote, and 2) the Soviet Union could not be counted as a neutral, though it could be seated as a non-neutral participant.

Dean indicated in his report that a resumption of talks with the Communists was possible. But he, held out little hope that any conference would lead to a free and independent Korea. The Chinese Communists, he said, "are determined to keep North Korea politically and economically integrated into their own economy."

Posing an ear-catching question, Dean asked: "If a political conference is not held, does that mean that hostilities will be resumed?" Answer: "No, it does not. The armistice agreement provides that it shall remain in effect until expressly superseded . . . Will the Communists resume hostilities? I do not think so. [They] took a terrific beating."

Was there any danger that Syngman Rhee might touch off a war on his own? Said Dean: "I am confident President Rhee will take no unilateral action."