To Peng Dehuai[!]
(July 2, 1951)

Comrade Peng Dehuai, and Comrade Kim Il Sung and Comrade Gao Gang[2]:

(1) Agree that Peng remain at the Joint Command[3] to direct operations and the July 10th cadres’ meeting, and not go to Pyongyang for the meeting. (2) Agree that Comrade Deng Hua[4] represent Peng at the peace talks conference. Request Deng set out immediately for Pyongyang, and be sure to arrive at Comrade Kim Il Sung’s location by the evening of the 4th or the evening of the 5th. Peng’s opinions on the peace talks are to be conveyed to Deng Hua to take with him. (3) Li Kenong[5], leading Qiao Guanhua[6] and other assistants, departed Beijing by train for Andong[7] at 22:00 hours on July 2, and will depart Andong for Pyongyang in the evening of July 4 (without going to the Joint Command). They can probably arrive at Comrade Kim Il Sung’s location by the morning of the 5th or the evening of the 5th. In the coming days, Comrade Kim Il Sung and the representatives attending the peace talks (from the People’s Army and the Volunteer Army) will consult on all issues concerning the peace talks conference. Comrade Kim Il Sung is requested to send personnel to an appropriate location to receive and guide them. (4) Request Comrade Peng Dehuai to order the responsible chief of the troops located in the Kaesong area to

[1] Peng Dehuai, then serving as Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army.
[2] Gao Gang, then serving as Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
[3] Joint Command, i.e., the Joint Operations Command of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army and the Korean People’s Army.
[4] Deng Hua, then serving as Deputy Commander and Deputy Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army.
[5] Li Kenong, then serving as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Central People’s Government.
[6] Qiao Guanhua, then serving as Director of the International News Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[7] Andong, present-day Dandong City.

speedily arrange the premises for holding the peace talks conference in Kaesong (if there are no buildings, tents must be used), as well as equipment, foodstuffs, and other items; arrange reliable security; and be sure to guarantee the safety of the conference, allowing no disturbances. The dormitories for the enemy delegation (possibly several dozen people, including journalists), the dormitories for our delegation, and the conference venue must all be arranged somewhat properly. In addition, a dormitory must also be arranged for Li Kenong, Qiao Guanhua, and others (one to two kilometers from the conference venue). To this end, request the Joint Command dispatch a competent and capable responsible cadre to proceed immediately to the Kaesong area to direct the aforementioned arrangements. What is the situation in Kaesong? Report promptly upon investigation.

Mao Zedong
0400 hours, July 2